John Russo's Midnight (1982) tries to mash up several horror subgenres that were successful at the time - occult, backwoods and survival. Unfortunately it comes up short on all of them.
It feels like Russo took a very business-like approach to this movie and created what seemed like a fail-proof formula. First you start with Russo's name recognition from his involvement with Image Ten in creating the classic Night of the Living Dead (Russo was the co-writer of the film). Then you look at what other horror films had made a lasting impression on the American audience - namely The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Rosemary's Baby (1968) and even Last House on the Left (1972). These three subgenres had a major impact on horror in the 70s. Occult films had made a huge stir since Rosemary gave birth. Movies like The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971) and Race with the Devil (1975) were prime for the exploitation circuit at the drive-in. Audiences are always ready to blame satan for the horrible atrocities of men. Speaking of atrocities...Leatherface influenced a swarm of films about killer families of in-bred crazies. Mother's Day (1980), The Hills Have Eyes (1977) and actually the Grand Daddy/Uncle/Brother of all in-bred horror was Deliverance (1972), but all these movies prove how scared we are of our redneck brethren that roam the backwoods. And there is even a touch of survival horror within Midnight that owes some dues to the Last House and I Spit on Your Grave (1978) - which I would bet Russo and company never actually sat through either of these, but may have seen the trailers. So the influence of all of these successful B-Movies should have added up to one scary film, but maybe there was just too many ideas getting in the way of a good story.
Please don't get me wrong, this is not the worst independent horror movie I have ever seen. Far from it. It's not that bad. It just isn't great. I had pretty high hopes, but it didn't have the big scare you would hope for. There was some good performances. Look out for the entrance made by Romero regular John Amplas (the star of Martin) who comes across as a pretty nasty redneck cop that doesn't care for city folk. He is accompanied by Greg Besnak (a zombie in Dawn of the Dead and the bald biker in Knightriders) who also is pretty convincing as a backwater, trigger-happy officer.
MAJOR SPOLIER ALERT. DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THIS MOVIE.
When it turns out that these two are actually the murderous brothers from the beginning of the film, I will say I was surprised and happy for the plot twist. And while we in the Spoiler Zone - I was almost disappointed that their mummified Mother was alone in a room preserved ala Grandpa in Chainsaw. This was a little too close of a reference for me.
OK SPOILERS ARE OVER! What this movie does do well is set up that nasty feel of the backwoods towns that are down the highway a piece from the city. I would say that these are a sign of the times of the early 80s, but I will admit that we still feel these outdated sentiments today. The bigoted townies are still out there - and that is the really scary thing about this film.
I will recommend this film to all of us that used to scour the horror sections of our local video stores. Just like back then, this film will feel vaguely like many of the movies that lie in the boxes next to it on the shelf. Nothing new or revolutionary here, but not that bad either. Its just ok.
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