Stars: Emilio Estevez, Lance Henriksen
Director: Joseph Sargent
Some anthology films attempt to tie their segments together with a wraparound story while others are more of a short story collection with similar themes. The little-known Nightmares fits into the latter category.
Brief synopsis:
Four stories to give you nightmares…
Spoilers below (you have been warned):
Story 1 – Terror in Topanga
Escaped mental patient and serial killer William Henry Glazier is on the attack in Topanga. A highway officer is his latest victim but nicotine addicted Lisa doesn’t care. She is out of cigarettes and, despite her husband Henry’s warnings, goes out into the night for another pack. She gets her cigarettes and then stops for gas. As the attendant gases up her vehicle, he seems to be very interested in what is going on in the car. Suddenly he breaks open the window of Lisa’s car with the gas nozzle, drags her out of the car, and shoots the escaped madman in the back of her car. Unknown to Lisa, Glazier had gotten into the car while she got her cigarettes. The police bring her home and she throws away her cigarettes.
Story 2 – The Bishop of Battle
J.J. Cooney (Estevez) is an expert at video games but has yet to master the Bishop of Battle, a shooter game. His friend Zock points out that there is supposedly a 13th level to the game that no one has ever reached. The friend does not think the level exists but J.J. does and is determined to beat it. Becoming obsessed, he even breaks into the arcade at night to continue to try and beat the 12th level. He finally succeeds and is shocked to find the game coming to life around him. He uses the gun from the game to shoot the objects flying at him and escapes the arcade. However, he drops the gun in the process and is soon confronted by The Bishop from the game. The next morning his friends come to the arcade only to see J.J. trapped in the game before finally turning into a character in the game.
Story 3 – The Benediction
Father Frank McLeod (Henriksen) has lost his faith. After witnessing the murder of a young boy and then officiating his funeral, Father McLeod confesses his loss of faith to his Bishop. He resigns from the church and leaves with only some holy water as a reminder of his days in the priesthood. As he drives down the road, a black truck suddenly attacks him. It is eventually revealed that this truck is Satan and he is trying to kill the priest. After some cat and mouse, Frank’s car is destroyed and he throws the holy water on the vehicle in a last attempt to stop it. The vehicle disappears and Frank, his faith restored, asked to be taken to his parish hospital.
Story 4 - Night of the Rat
A family is terrorized by rats in their home. They manage to kill one but soon find that the remaining one is large and dangerous, destroying pipes and electrical outlets. An exterminator is brought in by the wife however her husband, convinced he knows better, fires the man. The exterminator was so disturbed by the damage he saw that he researched similar occurrences and discovers the existence of a “Devil Rat”. He phones the wife to warn her. The wife tries to warn her husband but he does not listen, destroying their home as he tries to kill the rat. Eventually the family is cornered in the master bedroom and the rat telekinetically begins to communicate with the daughter, explaining all they want is their child. The father retrieves the dead rat and gives it to the “Devil Rat” who then takes her child and leaves.
My thoughts (with spoilers):
I have told you before that I love anthology films and this one is a relic from my many nights roaming the video store. These stories are morality tales and there are lessons to be learned in them all. The first one deals with addiction and letting it control you to the point that you put your life in danger. Lisa knows that there is a killer on the loose and chooses her addiction over safety. Her need for nicotine almost gets her killed and this brush with death gets her to quit. I used Chantix but whatever works for you…
In the second story, J.J.’s obsession with the video game leads him to break into the arcade at night. He commits a crime just to beat the game and prove he is the best. The pride and obsessive behavior leads to his downfall as he is sucked into the video game to live the rest of his life. He may have beat the game but it cost him his life. Estevez is just starting out his career in this film and his talent is evident. It is a shame that he really doesn’t act anymore.
The third story is about the loss of faith and rediscovering it. Lance Henriksen is wonderful as a priest who sees senseless loss and can no longer believe in a God who would let that happen. This is relatable to me as a former Catholic who wonders every day why there is so much suffering in the world and why God allows it. In real life, there are no easy answers but this one ends a little too easily with the truck literally being Satan and using holy water to vanquish it. Yes, faith is restored but as far as miracles go, this is a weak one at best.
The rat story is actually got two tellings in 1983 – this short story and a full-length film called Of Unknown Origin. Honestly, the short story route is probably the best way to go. This story has little meat on the bones and at least this telling adds in a little fun with the telekinesis arc and some pathos with the rat just wanting her dead child back. The acting is fine but this is the weakest story of the bunch. It is the father’s obsession with killing the rat himself that leads to the destruction of his home and it is only when he cedes to the rat that he gets some semblance of peace back. His pride is his downfall.
All in all, this is one of the better horror anthologies to come from the 1980’s and worth tracking down for a watch.
More films from 1983 to check out:
Jaws 3 – Sue me – I enjoy this one and came very close to doing a review on it. Is it a good movie, no, but it is fun in its own way and gives us some decent character work between the Brody brothers and the women in their lives. Dennis Quaid swears he was on cocaine for the whole filming and cannot remember any of it but it doesn’t show. Bess Armstrong deserved a better career than the one she got but at least she got to interact with the sea animals.
Something Wicked This Way Comes – Disney adaptation of a Ray Bradbury story about a mysterious carnival that gives people what they want at a price. First time I saw Jonathan Pryce in a film and he wowed me with his portrayal of Mr. Dark.
Valley Girl – Classic comedy starring Nicolas Cage and Deborah Foreman as star-crossed lovers in Los Angeles. She is a rich girl from the Valley and he is a punk from Hollywood who fall in love against their friends wishes. Sweet with an amazing soundtrack.