Reeker (2005)

Strangers trapped at an eerie travel oasis in the desert must unravel the mystery behind their visions of dying people while they are preyed upon by a decaying creature.

Director:

Dave Payne

Writer:

Dave Payne

Stars:

Devon Gummersall, Derek Richardson, Tina Illman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Devon Gummersall	...	Jack
Derek Richardson	...	Nelson
Tina Illman	...	Gretchen
Scott Whyte	...	Trip
Arielle Kebbel	...	Cookie
Michael Ironside	...	Henry
Eric Mabius	...	Radford
Marcia Strassman	...	Rose
Les Jankey	...	Half-a-Trucker
David Hadinger	...	Reeker
Carole Ruggier	...	The Mom
Paul Greenstein	...	The Dad
Paul Butcher	...	The Kid
Steven Zlotnick	...	The Cops (as Steve Zlotnick)
Christopher Boyer	...	The Cops

Storyline

Strangers trapped at an eerie travel oasis in the desert must unravel the mystery behind their visions of dying people while they are preyed upon by a decaying creature.

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Plot Keywords:

mysterious killer | mystery killer | grindhouse film | horror b movie | teenager | 

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Taglines:

If you can't breathe, then you can't scream.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of Marcia Strassman.

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Goofs

Crew and equipment is reflected in the truck, in many pan-around shots.

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Quotes

Cookie: [see numerous pills of Ecstasy] ... Is that 'E'?

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Crazy Credits

Support Independent Films!

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Connections

Followed by No Man's Land: The Rise of Reeker (2008)

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Soundtracks

I Can't Believe You Don't Believe
Written by Bobby Horton
Performed by The Horton Brothers
Courtesy of Texas Jamboree

User Reviews

Another unoriginal, safe modern horror flick

I was really hoping for a lot more from this modern horror flick, but unfortunately it's slipped into the subdued, 'safe' plot that so many films these days seem to follow and there isn't an awful lot of actual horror on display. The film feels like it's building up to something all the way through, but despite some nice visuals throughout; it fails to deliver on its promise. By far the best thing about the film is the atmosphere, and through competent handling from director Dave Payne, Reeker is given the right feel throughout. The central location; a motel in the middle of nowhere, is a good location for horror and a good sense of hopelessness is generated through it and the character's despair. The cast of characters are the common 'dopey teens', who are on their way to a rave (very original). Things go wrong for them when their car breaks down near to the aforementioned motel, and this is followed by a series of strange events. The location is strangely deserted, they can't get a radio signal and, worst of all, there appears to be something chasing them.

The film starts off with a nice little sequence that sees a family become the victim of...something. From there, the film is suspenseful because you really want to know exactly what is going on in this place where the lead characters have found themselves. I was thinking that there'd be some great revelation just around the corner - but the film makes us wait, wait a bit more and wait again until eventually delivering just about the worst ending a film can have. And just to make things a little bit worse; it's an ending that a great many horror films have used recently, and every single one of them left me disappointed as well. There are some good effects in the film, however, and despite some dodgy CGI in places; things such as the man with no legs may leave some of the less experienced horror viewers with nightmares. The central baddie (I'm guessing the title villain) is good, but it doesn't look very good; and I'd have preferred a man in a cape over the rubbish computer effects that the director has opted for. Overall, this film certainly isn't all bad; but there are far too many flaws for me to call it a success and I don't think the title is a million miles away from being an apt description of the film.

Details

Official Sites:

Afraid of the Dark LLC [United States] Bac Films [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 2006 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Reeker

Filming Locations:

Four Aces Movie Ranch - 14499 E Ave Q, Palmdale, California, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,290,800

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Institution, Primal Pictures, Afraid of the Dark

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS (5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1