The New Kids (1985)

Director:

Sean S. Cunningham

Writers:

Stephen Gyllenhaal (story) and
Brian Taggert (story) ...

Release Date:

18 January 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The kids learned three things about southern hospitality, blood, sweat and terror!

Plot:

A brother and sister arrive in a small town to help their relatives run an amusement park, and they find the town is terrorized by a local street gang.

Plot Keywords:

Amusement Park | Gang | High School | Gas Station | Street Gang

Cast

Shannon Presby	...	Loren McWilliams
Lori Loughlin	...	Abby McWilliams
James Spader	...	Eddie Dutra
John Philbin	...	Gideon
David H. MacDonald	...	Moonie
Vince Grant	...	JoeBob (as Vincent Grant)
Theron Montgomery	...	Gordo
Eddie Jones	...	Charlie McWilliams
Lucy Martin	...	Fay McWilliams
Eric Stoltz	...	Mark
Paige Lyn Price	...	Karen
Court Miller	...	Sheriff
Tom Atkins	...	'Mac' MacWilliams
Jean De Baer	...	Mary Beth MacWilliams
Robertson Carricart	...	Deputy

Also Known As:

Striking Back (Philippines: English title) (UK) (video title)

Runtime:

86 min | USA:110 min | USA:89 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:R | Belgium:16 (video rating) | USA:R | Norway:16 | UK:18 (cut) | Iceland:(Banned) | Iceland:16 (cut) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Homestead, Florida, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Quotes:

Mark: Thats Eddie Dutra, He's about as much fun as a rabid dog.

Soundtrack:

Making A Move

The New Kids aren't very welcome on The Block

This very interesting but sadly underrated gem directed by Sean S. Cunningham ("Friday the 13th") offers an original variation of both the revenge thriller and vigilante action movie, since it has ordinary common high school teenagers in the lead roles. Basically this means the film begins with harsh but fairly harmless bullying but yet ends with extreme violence and relentless murder. The transition obviously isn't very plausible, as mean bully kids don't just turn into mad dog killers overnight, but "The New Kids" is nonetheless a competently made and occasionally very suspenseful thriller with tons of action, likable performances and an irresistibly charming 80's atmosphere. Following the sudden death of their beloved parents in an accident, athletic siblings Loren and Abby McWilliams move to Florida to help restore their uncle's ramshackle amusement park. They promptly run into conflict with the local school's gang of bullies because Abby refuses to accept an invitation to the dance from the tough leader Eddie Dutra. The mutual mockeries and paybacks gradually escalate into pure terrorizing until, one night, Dutra's entire gang invades the theme park with the intention to kill. Cunningham professionally builds up a tense and ominous atmosphere towards a highly explosive and grisly climax with some ultra-brutal killing sequences and engrossing make-up effects. The extreme violence will undoubtedly appeal to fans of 80's slashers as well as cheap and sleazy exploitation flicks of the 70's. The film benefices from an exceptionally great cast, with veteran B-movie stars as well as upcoming talents. Particularly James Spader is excellent and genuinely uncanny as the sleazy leader of the pack. Highly recommended to all type of cult movie fanatics.