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Nightmare Man

nm Nightmare Man . Lionsgate. After Dark Horrorfest. Reviewed by Brian Kirst

While Nightmare Man (part of this fall’s 8 Films to Die For festival) was recently criticized by Fangoria Magazine for not sticking to it’s introductory plotline of a vengeful fertility mask, director/writer Rolfe Kanefsky actually weaves so many twists and changes of tempo into his tale that it is truly a surprise how any fan of lightweight, balls-to-the wall horror can be disappointed by this flick.

After being stranded on the side of the road, emotionally fragile Ellen Morris discovers that her terror filled dreams of a ‘nightmare man’ are a reality when she is viciously attacked. She manages to escape to a deep woods home where two former college pals are entertaining their boyfriends. Soon people are being bloodily "offed" left and right – and a myriad complications present themselves. From the Hitchcockian gas lighting of the major characters to a penultimate interweaving of possession melodrama, Kanefsky keeps things on the move and the audience, therefore, remains constantly on their toes.

The gruesome murders are excessive and "spray-ingly" good. Overall, they are juicy fun, but very obviously fake. In fact, outside of Kanefsky’s creativity, the thing to recommend most about this slippery production is its leading ladies. Both Blythe Metz (as Ellen) and Tiffany Shepis (as one of the cabin dwellers) give top notch, aggressive performances. They beautifully commit to this production as if were the finest of Shakespeare. In fact, known as he was for his own excessiveness, it’s a pretty good bet that the bloody Bard would have probably found much to enjoy in Kanefsky’s latest high flying opus.

Mitchell Wells

Founder and Editor in Chief of Horror Society. Self proclaimed Horror Movie Freak, Tech Geek, love indie films and all around nice kinda guy!!

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