Review of Near Dark (1987) by Hugh J — 05 Sep 2009

Perennially overlooked yet very good vampire picture from promising young director Kathryn Bigelow which has since gained cult status due to its ambiguity, suspense and its overall high quality. Possibly the poor relation in box-office terms that year (1987) due to the runaway success of Joel Schumacher's 'Lost Boys', 'Near Dark' is the better film and an essential addition to the bloodsucking genre.

Lance Henriksen, who has an excellent skill for appearing in some truly iconic films across many genres, leads a rebellious gang of nightcrawlers who are currently terrorising locals across the desert plains.

These vampires are not shy and with members such as Bill Paxton there is always the possibility that bloodletting is just around the corner. Adrian Pasdar (Nathan Petrelli from hit TV series 'Heroes') plays the naive young human seduces into this malignant gang.

Offered the chance of immortality, this young man must decide just how much he is willing to do for love while the vampires proceed to quench their desires. The beauty of 'Near Dark' is that it is hardly comparable to the vampire films which were made before it, you could say that it broke from convention in a sense and in my opinion it helped to inspire 'From Dusk 'Til Dawn' (Robert Rodriguez, 1995) and elements of the television series 'Tru Blood'.

Original, underrated and deserving of a second look, 'Near Dark' is possibly THAT edgy vampire film which younger horror fans are looking for but just didn't know about.