American Nightmare (2002) (V)

Director:

Jon Keeyes

Writer:

Jon Keeyes (writer)

Release Date:

7 April 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

One Night, Seven Friends Confess Their Fears...... To A Killer

Plot:

A deranged female serial killer stalks seven young people whom phone a radio call-in show to discuss their darkest fears and a night-long game of cat-and-mouse is put into motion by the darkly sinister-looking murderess.

Plot Keywords:

Fear | Pirate Radio | Halloween | Psychopath | Halloween Party

Cast

Debbie Rochon	...	Jane Toppan
Brandy Little	...	Jessie McClain
Johnny Sneed	...	Wayne Holcomb
Chris Ryan	...	Caligari
Robert McCollum	...	Tony Collins
Kristin McCollum	...	Cynthia Collins
Heather Haase	...	Melanie Ryan
Kenyon Holmes	...	Bruce Miller
Rebecca Stacey	...	Misty McClain
Kimberly Grant	...	Trisha McClain (as Kimberly Deanne Morgan)
Hayden Tweedie	...	Deanna
Scott Phillips	...	Rick
Brinke Stevens	...	Lisa
Michael H. Price	...	Stan
Jessica Reed	...	Leanne

MPAA:

Rated R for violence/terror, language and some sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

UK:15 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Germany:16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cleburne, Texas, USA

Company:

Highland Myst Entertainment

Trivia:

Chris Ryan, who plays radio DJ Caligari, is a real-life radio DJ for KEGL in Dallas, Texas. Much of his DJ ranting was adlibbed.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the opening scene where the killer chases the characters through the woods the shadow of a cameraman with his camera is clearly visible against a well lit tree.

Quotes:

Jane Toppan: Trisha's dead? Bummer.

Movie Connections:

Features Halloween (1978)

Soundtrack:

Humanoids from the Deep

Good for horror-movie lovers

Overall, I was very impressed with American Nightmare, especially considering it was the director's first movie. Great storyline and great concept, with the killer using her victim's greatest fears against them. The movie had a great creepy atmosphere all the way through.

That's not to say the movie was perfect. Most of the characters are under-developed (not that this is unusual in a slasher film) and there are some gaping holes in logic (the killer has a tendency to just walk away after terrorizing someone, with no one ever trying to stop her.) Also, I wasn't overly impressed with the acting from the heroine and the killer was a little too over the top for me.

Still, the movie set out what it was trying to do. "American Nightmare" isn't out to win any Academy Awards, it simply wants to scare us, and it does that quite well.