Alone in the Dark (1982)

Terrific cast and terrific set-pieces, 25 September 2005

Dr. Dan Potter has accepted a position at a mental facility known as the Haven. It's a unique place with no bars to keep the patients inside, only electric doors. During a blackout, four mental patients escape from the institution with the plan of getting their revenge on the new doctor who they believe killed their old doctor. The escapees wait for nightfall to lay siege to the doctor's house. Can Dr. Potter and his family survive this night of terror?

What Works:

- The Acting. Alone in the Dark features one of the better casts assembled for what is essentially a slasher movie. Jack Palance gives one of those stoic, menacing performances as the leader of the escaped patients. Donald Pleasence's eccentric doctor is a kook who may be more unbalanced than the patients he treats. But Martin Landau's demented Preacher may be the best. All Landau has to do is flash that twisted smile to effectively show how deranged his character really is.

- Trapped in the House. I've always claimed that if allow yourself to, in essence, "let go" almost any horror film can provide a few frights or scares. I try to do this whenever I watch a horror film. With that in mind, the final third of Alone in the Dark provides some wonderful frightening moments. You know the escaped patients are out there and you know they are capable of almost anything, but you don't know where they are or when they will strike. It's the stuff of real nightmares.

- Death of a Babysitter. This may be the most frightening set-piece in the film. Sure, it's clichéd, but Sholder does a terrific job of using misdirection to really make this scene effective. Very nice!

- Mom's Diner. The opening scene set in the diner is one of the most deliciously surreal things I've seen in a while. It's easily one of the most "fun" scenes in the movie.

What Doesn't Work:

- We Don't Need No Stinking Logic. As with a lot of horror movies, there are plot holes and lapses in logic that can interfere with the enjoyment of the movie if you let them. One example is the reaction of everyone in the movie (including Dr. Potter, his wife, and the police) to the discovery that a child molester has been in the house and spent the afternoon with the Potter's daughter. The reaction – no big deal. Go on with things as normal.

- That 80's Feeling. I hate the term "dated" when describing a movie, but it's the best I can come up with to describe Dr. Potter's sister. I know that people like that existed in the 80s, I'm just trying to forget it.

Back in 1982, I saw a lot of horror movies in the theater. I'm not sure how Alone in the Dark escaped under the radar, but it did. I'm glad to have finally discovered this gem. It's a well-acted, well-made slasher with some genuine scares. Alone in the Dark is a real nice addition to my DVD library.

7/10