"What is this? A homicide, or a bad B-movie?" Detective Ray Cameron (Tom Atkins) asks a trick question with an obvious answer. It's both. Then again, Night of the Creeps isn't really bad by any stretch. A sci-fi horror comedy for the ages, Night of the Creeps tells a simple story. One of college love, space slugs and zombies from the grave. Haven't we gotten enough of those, guys? Well, writer/director Fred Dekker at least manages to inject some B-movie fan charm in the proceedings in ways that anyone can get behind. The good news is Night of the Creeps is here on Decades of Horror 1980s. The bad news is... nothing, actually. Hooray!
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 131 – Night of the Creeps (1986)
Night of the Creeps is the story of two college freshman who - in order to impress a fraternity - awaken a long frozen zombie and unleash chaos on a sleepy college town. Only depressed drunken Detective Cameron (Tom Atkins) can save the day while facing against demons of his past. While Night of the Creeps didn't make a big splash in theaters back in the summer of 1986, but managed to become a cult favorite on video. Not a surprise, given it's a mash of sci-fi aliens, axe murdering killers and Tom Atkins dishing out one liners. A rolicking good time that goes from space to 50s Americana to the nightmarish world of mid-80s college sex romp. It's got everything and the kitchen sink... Dick Miller! There's plenty of terror, romance and "thrill me"s to go around.
To dissect all the remaining gory bits of mayhem, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore and Thomas Mariani are here and hopefully the space slugs won't get them first! Marvel as Christopher admits the influence Night of the Creeps had on one of his short films. Shudder as Doc realizes he hasn't seen the Director's Cut ending that crept up on him upon this watch. Ponder with Thomas at the possibility of a Tom Atkins detective story comeback movie. Plus, plenty of discussions about Fred Dekker's love of the genre, distinguishing between Kevin Pollack & David Paymer and making a drinking game out of all the director name tributes. Of course, we don't condone irresponsible drinking. You'll be dead within the first 20 minutes. Or at least screaming like banshees! Heh heh... "screaming like banshees."
We want to hear from you – the coolest, most gruesome fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at thomasmariani@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
Special thanks to Neon Devils for their awesome song Bone Chillin!
Beetlejuice (1988)