Nightmare Man (After Dark Horrorfest 2007 Review)

Plot
Soon after receiving an African fertility mask, Ellen tells her husband, William, that she's been attacked by the Nightmare Man. As Ellen's paranoia increases, William must determine whether the attacks are real or Ellen needs professional help.

Jason's Thoughts
There is a great contrast between Nightmare Man and The Deaths of Ian Stone.  In my review of the latter, I stated that it set a standard for the others in the series to achieve.  I then put in Nightmare Man and not only was that standard not met, it may have set its own standard for how low budget a movie can be and still get a theatrical release.

Within seconds of starting the movie I began to wonder if it was shot using home video equipment and I prepared myself for a long night.  That feeling started to wear off, though, as it started to appear to me that Nightmare Man was a low budget throwback to slasher films of the 1980's.  Keeping with the whole 80's theme, Richard Moll, who is famous for playing Bull Shannon on Night Court, even has a small part in the film.  

The film revolves around an African fertility mask that begins to haunt the woman who purchased it.  The mask begins to stalk her in her dreams and eventually becomes a reality once she is on the verge of a mental breakdown.  Of course, a movie of this sort would not be complete without the slasher clichés of a group of young adults in an isolated cabin and a car that runs out of gas at just the right moment.  Throw in a few decent scares and a couple of plot twists and it actually ended up being a lot of fun to watch.

Even with a low budget, the special effects were not all that bad and added to the charm of the whole movie.  That charm, though, will be lost on most, especially those who do not particularly enjoy b-rated horror movies that came out 30 years ago. It is safe to say that Nightmare Man would not get much of a chance today without a backing such as the After Dark Horrorfest, but it is a decent little gem for those who grew up watching these types of movies as a kid.

Comments

No comments have been posted.