Shocker (1989)

After being sent to the electric chair, a serial killer uses electricity to come back from the dead and carry out his vengeance on the football player who turned him in to the police.

Director:

Wes Craven

Writer:

Wes Craven

Stars:

Michael Murphy, Peter Berg, Mitch Pileggi

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Murphy	...	Lt. Don Parker
Peter Berg	...	Jonathan Parker
Mitch Pileggi	...	Horace Pinker
Sam Scarber	...	Cooper
Camille Cooper	...	Alison (as Cami Cooper)
Ted Raimi	...	Pac Man (as Theodore Raimi)
Keith Anthony-Lubow-Bellamy	...	Football Player
Heather Langenkamp	...	Victim
Virginia Morris	...	Diane
John Tesh	...	TV Newscaster
Jessica Craven	...	Counterperson
Emily Samuel	...	Sally
Richard Brooks	...	Rhino
Peter Tilden	...	Reporter
Bingham Ray	...	Bartender

Storyline

A murderous TV repairman, Horace Pinker is killing people in a small town left, right and center. He eventually finds the home of Lt. Parker, who is investigating his crimes, and savagely murders Parker's wife, son and daughter. His other son, Jonathan has a strange connection to Pinker through his dreams, and he directs his father to Pinker's business, where a small group of officers enter. Pinker escapes in a horrific spree, killing four officers and then targeting Jonathan's girlfriend, Alison. Another dream leads Jonathan and his dad to a residence where they catch Pinker in in the act of kidnapping. Pinker is arrested after a fight with Jonathan and sentenced to die in the electric chair. When executed, Pinker - who supposedly had given his soul to the devil in exchange for the power to come back as an energy source - takes over people's bodies and continues committing murders, until Jonathan devises a plan to bring Pinker into the real world, and then cut off his power source...

---

Plot Keywords:

electric chair | football player | serial killer | back from the dead | soul | 

---

Taglines:

Mass murderer Horace pinker was put to death. Then he really got mad.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shocker: No More Mr. Nice Guy

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$16,554,699 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alive Films, Carolco Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the bodies that Horace took over (the male "Road Worker" with long black hair) is former guitarist for Alice Cooper, Kane Roberts.

---

Goofs

Sound crews' shadows visible when Jonathan runs from the posessed policeman.

---

Quotes

Horace Pinker: That was clever of you grabbing that gun and shooting me right through the fuckin' knee, you little peckerhead!

---

Connections

Referenced in Fallen (1998)

---

Soundtracks

"Different Breed"
Performed by Dead On

User Reviews

Plenty of Potential If They Had Toned Down the Cheese

A young man (Peter Berg) dreams of a killer... and the dream is real, with his mother and sister left dead. From there, his dreams are connected to the killer, but that's just the beginning. Once captured and executed, the story is just beginning!

Peter Berg makes a strong lead, acting as the poor man's Christian Slater. Mitch Pileggi is also excellent, though a bit campy, and it's nice to see him in a tougher role than FBI Director Skinner.

Mike Mayo says, "Wes Craven creates a fierce satire on television and the way the medium distorts our view of reality." Not sure I agree. If this is a "fierce satire" of anything, it's hidden well. I didn't see a critique of television or the media in here at all.

Mayo continues, saying, "the film is just another derivative exercise in obvious special effects, borrowing liberally from Craven's own work", including the fact Pinker "becomes a channel-surfing Freddy Krueger who returns to attack his enemies." This is absolutely true... aside from showcasing bland effects, this film offers little new.

But Timothy Leary and Ted Raimi show up, so that's a plus.

Wes Craven fans will need to see this one, but don't expect much. Some parts, such as the possessed girl, are entertaining. But don't expect this to appear on any "best of" lists.