Near Dark (1987)

A small-town farmer's son reluctantly joins a traveling group of vampires after he is bitten by a beautiful drifter.

Director:

Kathryn Bigelow

Writers:

Kathryn Bigelow, Eric Red

Stars:

Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adrian Pasdar	...	Caleb Colton
Jenny Wright	...	Mae
Lance Henriksen	...	Jesse Hooker
Bill Paxton	...	Severen
Jenette Goldstein	...	Diamondback
Tim Thomerson	...	Loy Colton
Joshua John Miller	...	Homer (as Joshua Miller)
Marcie Leeds	...	Sarah Colton
Kenny Call	...	Deputy Sheriff
Ed Corbett	...	Ticket Seller
Troy Evans	...	Plainclothes Officer
Bill Cross	...	Sheriff Eakers
Roger Aaron Brown	...	Cajun Truck Driver
Thomas Wagner	...	Bartender
Robert Winley	...	Patron in Bar

Storyline

A mid-western farm boy reluctantly becomes a member of the undead when a girl he meets turns out to be part of a band of southern vampires who roam the highways in stolen cars. Part of his initiation includes a bloody assault on a hick bar.

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | cure for vampirism | horror directed by woman | farm | rooster crowing | 

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Taglines:

In one hot hungry kiss, he gave her everlasting love. She gave him everlasting life.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Horror | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the start of the bungalow gunfight scene, a cross can be seen in the handle of Jesse's pistol alluding to the idea that these vampires do not follow the same "rules" of traditional vampire mythology.

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Goofs

When Jesse rents the bungalow, the rubber mat near the telephone and desk bell suddenly moves a foot to the right between shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Caleb Colton: [crushing a mosquito] Dumb suck.

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Alternate Versions

Near Dark was at first banned in Sweden due to the film's graphic violent nature and the zero-tolerance policy of the Swedish censorship board, but was finally released on video in 1989. However, this version was brutally cut, omitting almost all violence, shown as well as hinted. Scenes missing include cuts of a bloodsucking and the entire sequence of Caleb's initiation in the bar.

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Connections

Referenced in Dansu in za vanpaia bando: Nia dâku (2010)

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Soundtracks

THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY
Performed by George Strait
Written by Sonny Throckmorten and Casey Kelly
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

and they didn't even say the 'V' word!

One of the best modern vampire flicks around is this stylish, funny, and all around adventurous cult classic.

Young cowboy is literally bitten by a beautiful stranger and ends up joining a band of blood-suckers who roam the American heartland.

Although Near Dark is often over-shadowed by the ultra-hip vampire movie The Lost Boys (1987), Near Dark is a far juicier treat for horror fans. Eric Red, who also wrote The Hitcher (1986), gives us a seemingly old-fashioned tale of struggle between human nature and savage lust with a nicely spun sense of modernism. Not to mention plenty of touches of dark humor. It's a story that does well with avoiding the obvious clichés of the vampire genre. Director Kathryn Bigelow gives this film terrific style, not only adding scenic beauty but sharply creating plenty of intense action sequences. Near Dark also packs some great makeup FX and occasional gore. The entire sequence in the bar has became a favorite among many. Adding even more to the film is the beautiful music score by Tangerine Dream.

The cast is quite good. Adrian Pasdar is believable as our formerly-human hero. Lance Henriksen is genuine in his role as the leader of the vamp' band. However it's young Bill Paxton who does most of the scene stealing (and the comic relief) as a scary, yet cheeky vampire thug.

A modern vamp classic that delivers on all levels, Near Dark firmly remains a favorite of the genre and one of the most entertaining horror films of the 80's.

**** out of ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1988 (Peru)

Also Known As:

Near Dark

Filming Locations:

Eloy, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$635,789, 4 October 1987

Gross USA:

$3,369,307

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,369,307

Company Credits

Production Co:

F/M, Near Dark Joint Venture

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 86 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1