A man investigates the disappearance of his sister with the help of her roommate. He uncovers a trail of prostitution, incest, blackmail...and murder.
Are you ready for the return of Michael Myers in Halloween? We are! See which other movies and TV shows we're excited about.
Related News
-
Surreal Feature Model Home – World Premiering at the North Bend Film Festival this August!
01 July 2018 | Horror News -
*Updated* Bad Dreams and Visiting Hours Blu-ray Release Details
06 January 2014 | DailyDead -
Six Actors Who Should Be Cast As Batman
13 September 2013 | SoundOnSight
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: American Nightmare (1983)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
More Like This
Visiting Hours
(1982)
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Jean-Claude Lord
Stars:
Michael Ironside,
Lee Grant,
Linda Purl
The Slayer
(1982)
Horror
Director:
J.S. Cardone
Stars:
Sarah Kendall,
Frederick Flynn,
Carol Kottenbrook
Stepfather II
(1989)
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Jeff Burr
Stars:
Terry O'Quinn,
Meg Foster,
Caroline Williams
Night School
(1981)
Horror
|
Mystery
Director:
Ken Hughes
Stars:
Leonard Mann,
Rachel Ward,
Drew Snyder
Alice Sweet Alice
(1976)
Horror
|
Mystery
|
Thriller
Director:
Alfred Sole
Stars:
Linda Miller,
Mildred Clinton,
Paula E. Sheppard
Out of the Dark
(1988)
Comedy
|
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Michael Schroeder
Stars:
Cameron Dye,
Lynn Danielson-Rosenthal,
Karen Lorre
10 to Midnight
(1983)
Crime
|
Drama
|
Thriller
Director:
J. Lee Thompson
Stars:
Charles Bronson,
Lisa Eilbacher,
Andrew Stevens
The Dorm That Dripped Blood
(1982)
Horror
Directors:
Stephen Carpenter,
Jeffrey Obrow
Stars:
Laurie Lapinski,
Stephen Sachs,
David Snow
Slaughter High
(1986)
Horror
Directors:
George Dugdale,
Mark Ezra, and 1 more credit »
Stars:
Caroline Munro,
Simon Scuddamore,
Carmine Iannaccone
Sole Survivor
(1984)
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Thom Eberhardt
Stars:
Anita Skinner,
Kurt Johnson,
Robin Davidson
Madhouse
(1981)
Horror
Director:
Ovidio G. Assonitis
Stars:
Patricia Mickey,
Michael MacRae,
Dennis Robertson
The Incubus
(1982)
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
John Hough
Stars:
John Cassavetes,
John Ireland,
Kerrie Keane
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
 |
Lawrence Day | ... | Eric (as Lawrence S. Day) |
|
|
Lora Staley | ... | Louise |
|
|
Neil Dainard | ... | Tony |
| Lenore Zann | ... | Tina | |
|
|
Claudia Udy | ... | Andrea |
| Page Fletcher | ... | Mark | |
| Michael Ironside | ... | Sgt. Skylar (as Mike Ironside) | |
|
|
Larry Aubrey | ... | Dolly |
| Michael Copeman | ... | Fixer (as Mike Copeman) | |
|
|
Bunty Webb | ... | Operator |
|
|
Tom Harvey | ... | Hamilton |
| Paul Bradley | ... | Motel Manager | |
|
|
Peter Lavender | ... | Wally |
| Martin Doyle | ... | Tanner (as Marty Doyle) | |
|
|
Don MacQuarrie | ... | Mugger |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (16) »
Storyline
A man investigates the disappearance of his sister with the help of her roommate. He uncovers a trail of prostitution, incest, blackmail...and murder.
Plot Keywords:
murder of a nude woman | murder | prostitution | north american giallo | cult film |Taglines:
Every year girls move to the city determined to make their dreams come true ... or die trying. See more »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
CanadaLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
June 1984 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Amerikan painajainen See more »Filming Locations:
Toronto, Ontario, CanadaEdit
Box Office
Budget:
CAD 200,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorFrequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Enjoy a night in with these popular movies available to stream now with Prime Video.
Despite what the title states, the movie actually takes place in Toronto. Though like most Canadian movies, it is hesitant to say where it's actually taking place - you have to look for clues, such as seeing part of the CN Tower in the background during the final sequence.
As for the movie itself, it's pretty poor overall. It's relentlessly padded, with only a few turns in the story itself. Much of the movie consists of people talking, or to showcase the abundant nudity. Though that latter element may sound like it makes the movie worth watching, it's actually drearily presented, without it being the least erotic.
In fact, every location in the movie comes across as degenerate and filthy - never have I seen Toronto bathed in such an unflattering light. Actually, it's a change of pace for a Canadian movie, and with the movie taking place in a sleazy part of society, it seems somewhat appropriate. Though I'm sure this wasn't intentional, because this was a really low budget movie (only a $200,000 budget - Canadian dollars!), and the production values certainly show it, most notably the lack of adequate lighting.
To be fair, the slasher sequences aren't that bad - the squalid locations and the dark lighting actually give them some atmosphere, and the direction of these sequences show a little imagination (unlike the hopeless direction elsewhere.) And the movie does give B movie fans a chance to see Michael Ironside in not just an early role, but one that gives him the rare opportunity to play a good guy. Aside from those things, the movie is probably only of interest to people interested in Canadian tax shelter movies of this era.