Near Dark (1987)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Kathryn Bigelow

Writers:

Kathryn Bigelow (written by) and
Eric Red (written by)

Release Date:

2 October 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Killing you would be easy, they'd rather terrify you...forever.

Plot:

A young man reluctantly joins a travelling "family" of evil vampires, when the girl he'd tried to seduce is part of that group.

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Bar | Bartender | Flashlight | Warrior

Awards:

1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Adrian Pasdar	...	Caleb Colton
Jenny Wright	...	Mae
Lance Henriksen	...	Jesse Hooker
Bill Paxton	...	Severen
Jenette Goldstein	...	Diamondback
Tim Thomerson	...	Loy Colton
Joshua John Miller	...	Homer (as Joshua Miller)
Marcie Leeds	...	Sarah Colton
Kenny Call	...	Deputy Sheriff
Ed Corbett	...	Ticket Seller
Troy Evans	...	Plainclothes Officer
Bill Cross	...	Sheriff Eakers
Roger Aaron Brown	...	Cajun Truck Driver
Thomas Wagner	...	Bartender
Robert Winley	...	Patron in Bar

Runtime:

94 min | Sweden:86 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

New Zealand:R16 | Portugal:M/18 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (2003) | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 (1987)

Filming Locations:

Casa Grande, Arizona, USA

Company:

F/M

Trivia:

While shooting in the desert, Lance Henriksen relieved the boredom between takes by hopping in his car and taking short drives through the desert, still in costume and often staying in character. According to Henriksen and Bill Paxton, the two were stopped by a policeman who became so unnerved questioning Jesse about his speeding that the officer became visibly uncomfortable, stepping back and placing his hand on his firearm. The obviously flustered officer decided to send them on their way rather than write them a ticket.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Homer is on his knees in the middle of the road the station wagon with Diamond Back and Jesse is seen driving in the opposite direction. In the very next shot the station wagon is driving directly toward Caleb.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Caleb Colton: [crushing a mosquito] Dumb suck.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Living in Darkness (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

MORSE CODE

Bill Paxton stole the show

This film is obviously stolen by Bill Paxton and although the plot is very simple there are some interesting points of discussion for example the whole blood transfusion scenario. It is an enjoyable vampire western, however the word vampire is never expressed in the film. It neglects all the vampire clichés, and is impressive for it's time. It's quite obvious that films such as From Dusk Til Dawn and The Forsaken have taken there inspiration from this movie. The best scene is by far the bar slaughter. For Kathryn Bigalow's first film it is a triumph and a film to be proud of. I think that anyone who hasn't seen this film should give it a look, because it cleverly combines comedy, drama, horror and gore, but for people who are slightly sickened by the site of blood and horrific killings, be wary of Severens' spur to the neck slaughter.