The Daily Think

THRILL ME

Night of the Creeps, a 1986 horror-comedy directed by Fred Dekker, is a cult classic that has had a significant impact on the horror genre. The film’s premise is simple: an alien experiment goes awry, unleashing a horde of zombie-like creatures on a college campus. However, the film’s references to other horror movies, alien space movies, and nostalgic 1980s movies give it a unique flavor that has made it a fan favorite for over three decades.

THE PLAYERS

One of the film’s lead actors is Jason Lively, who plays the character of Chris Romero. Lively is the half-brother of actor Blake Lively and is best known for his role in the hit TV series National Lampoon’s European Vacation. In Night of the Creeps, Lively gives a memorable performance as the lovable underdog who tries to save his campus from the zombie invasion.

Another key actor in the film is Tom Atkins, who plays the role of Detective Ray Cameron. Atkins is a veteran

character actor who has appeared in many classic horror and sci-fi films, including The Fog, Escape from New York, and Halloween III: Season of the Witch. In Night of the Creeps, Atkins brings a grizzled, world-weary quality to the role of the hard-drinking detective.

Jill Whitlow plays the role of Cynthia Cronenberg, the love interest of both Chris and his best friend, J.C.

Whitlow is a talented actress who has appeared in many popular TV shows, including The A-Team, Magnum P.I., and Cheers. In Night of the Creeps, she brings a sense of vulnerability and strength to the role of the plucky heroine.

Finally, Steve Marshall plays the role of J.C. Hooper, Chris’s best friend and roommate. Marshall is a talented actor who has appeared in many TV shows, including Miami Vice and Baywatch. In Night of the Creeps, Marshall gives a standout performance as the wise-cracking sidekick who helps Chris save the day.

CALLBACK TO ZOMBIE FILMS

The film’s primary callback is to zombie movies, particularly the works of George A. Romero. Night of the Creeps takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to the zombie genre, presenting the undead as more humorous than frightening. The zombies in the film are not slow-moving corpses, but rather fast-moving, brain-hungry creatures. This approach was a departure from the zombie movies of the time, which tended to be more serious and gore-filled.

One of the most significant ways Night of the Creeps pays homage to the zombie genre is through its use of classic zombie movie tropes. For example, the film features a scene in which a character hides from the zombies in a closet, only to be discovered when the closet door is ripped off its hinges. This is a direct reference to a similar scene in Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Additionally, the film’s climax takes place in a graveyard, another common trope in zombie movies.

CALLBACK TO ALIENS

Another key element of Night of the Creeps is its callback to alien space movies. The film’s opening sequence takes place on a spaceship, where an alien experiment goes awry, leading to the outbreak of the zombie-like creatures on Earth. This opening sequence is a direct reference to classic sci-fi films like The Thing from Another World and Alien.

CALLBACK SOUNDTRACK

In addition to its references to other horror and sci-fi movies, Night of the Creeps also taps into the nostalgia of 1980s movies. The film takes place on a college campus in the 1980s, and the characters’ fashion and hairstyles are distinctly ’80s. The film’s soundtrack features songs from the era, including “The Monster Mash” and “Do You Remember Me?” by Patsy Cline. This nostalgic vibe adds to the film’s appeal, as viewers can relive a time that was simpler and less complicated than today.

Overall, the impact of Night of the Creeps is significant in the horror genre. The film’s combination of humor and horror was groundbreaking at the time, and it has since influenced many other films in the genre. The film’s references to other horror and sci-fi movies give it a sense of history and tradition, while its nostalgic vibe allows viewers to relive a time gone by. Night of the Creeps has earned its place as a cult classic, and its impact on the horror genre will continue to be felt for years to come.