The lone survivor of a suicide cult wakes from a thirteen-year coma in a psychiatric ward, where other patients suddenly start dying under mysterious and gruesome circumstances.
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Title: Bad Dreams (1988)
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jennifer Rubin | ... | Cynthia | |
| Bruce Abbott | ... | Dr. Alex Karmen | |
| Richard Lynch | ... | Harris | |
| Dean Cameron | ... | Ralph | |
| Harris Yulin | ... | Dr. Berrisford | |
 |
Susan Barnes | ... | Connie |
|
|
John Scott Clough | ... | Victor |
| Elizabeth Daily | ... | Lana (as E.G. Daily) | |
|
|
Damita Jo Freeman | ... | Gilda |
| Louis Giambalvo | ... | Ed | |
| Susan Ruttan | ... | Miriam | |
| Sy Richardson | ... | Detective Wasserman | |
|
|
Melissa Francis | ... | Young Cynthia (as Missy Francis) |
|
|
Sheila Scott-Wilkenson | ... | Hettie (as Sheila Scott Wilkinson) |
|
|
Ben Kronen | ... | Edgar |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
In the mid-'70s, a cult group called Unity Field commits mass suicide, but a young girl survives. After being in a coma for thirteen years she wakes up in a psyche ward, not remembering the incident. The psychiatrist tries to help her remember, but she begins seeing the leader of the cult talking to her from the grave, and the other members of her therapy group begin to commit suicide around her. Or is it suicide? Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>
Taglines:
When Cynthia Wakes Up. She'll Wish She Were Dead... See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
8 April 1988 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
La pesadilla mortal See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$4,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$4,008,870, 10 April 1988, Wide ReleaseGross USA:
$9,797,098Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
(FMC Library Print)Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
See more »
Written by Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler
Performed by Guns N' Roses
See more »
Did You Know?
Quotes
Ralph: [breaks a coffee pot over his guard's head] Do you want cream or sugar with that?See more »
Alternate Versions
The 18-rated UK video release of this film was cut by 22 seconds by the BBFC to remove closeup shots of self-mutilation with a knife and a scalpel, and to reduce a scene where a man is repeatedly hit by a car. The cuts were waived by the BBFC in 2018 for DVD/Blu-ray. See more »Soundtracks
Sweet Child O' MineWritten by Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler
Performed by Guns N' Roses
See more »
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I'm kind of caught here. I somewhat liked it, but came away rather under-whelmed because it was all too familiar and there was something more interesting within this strange horror/thriller premise than what was chalked up. Even with some creative cracks, it should've been better. The story's direction seems a little uneven if it wants to go out to shock (a good amount of blood splatter is spilt), or play its cards for psychological torment. Something about it never entirely fulfils. The performances are the main reason this one doesn't slip off the mind too quick. The beautiful Jennifer Rubin is exceptional in brining out a vulnerable side, which is counter-punched by determination. Alongside her are a very good Bruce Abbott and a towering Richard Lynch brings an uneasy subtly to his menacing character. Harris Yulin, Sy Richardson, Susan Ruttan and an amusingly batty Dean Cameron chip in with durable support. Andrew Fleming's leisured direction is stylish, but has that breakable quality to it. Good use of lighting, colouring and composition in pockets drips of atmosphere. The material is enjoyable (if minimal), as the protagonist tries to overcome the hallucinations that might be because of her unstable state of mind or the simple reality of being haunted by a restless spirit. There's some black humour evident, but the by-the-numbers script goes about things rather seriously. As well it has a fine and compelling soundtrack to boot. The special effects and make-up FX stands-up well enough. A decent little film.