Nightmares

Nightmares (1980)

Genres - Horror  |   Sub-Genres - Slasher Film  |   Run Time - 90 min.  |   Countries - Australia  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Review by Donald Guarisco

This Australian import might get the attention of horror fans because it is both bloodier and sexier than the average slasher film - which says a lot, given this subgenre's elements. Unfortunately, Nightmares is pretty lousy in most other areas. Colin Eggleston's script is shot through with flaws: the plot is even more logic-challenged than usual for a slasher flick, the characterizations range from annoying to repulsive and it is distressingly easy to guess who the killer is because there is no attempt made to create red herrings or mystery. John Lamond's direction benefits from some flashy Steadicam work but his direction of actors is flat-out awful (heroine Jenny Neumann's takes top dis-honors for her wide-eyed, teeth-gnashing theatrics) and his pacing is choppy, an element that is accentuated by a bizarre editing style that derails the film's tension with excessive, distracting fade-outs between scenes. The film does deliver plenty of blood and bare flesh to pander to the genre's less-demanding fans but even they'll find the film tough to get through. In short, Nightmares is one of the great duds of the slasher genre and is best left to completists.