Bad Dreams

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"When Cynthia wakes up. She'll wish she were dead..."
  • R
  • 1988
  • 1 hr 24 min
  • 5.6  (4,312)

The movie Bad Dreams from 1988 is a horror film directed by Andrew Fleming and starred Jennifer Rubin, Bruce Abbott, and Richard Lynch. It's a thrilling story about a survivor of a cult led by Harris (Richard Lynch), who miraculously survives a mass suicide attempt made by her fellow cult members during a fire, but she wakes up after a thirteen-year-long coma in a psychiatric hospital.

Jennifer Rubin plays the role of Cynthia, the survivor, who is suffering from traumatic experiences that have left her with recurring nightmares of Harris. She is in the hospital, and everyone, including her psychiatrist, Dr. Berrisford (Bruce Abbott), tries to help her move forward in her life while struggling with repeated visions of her past. Cynthia is soon haunted by Harris' ghost, who tries to convince her to leave the hospital and join him in the afterlife.

As the story unfolds, Cynthia and the other patients in the hospital start dying off in strange and unexpected ways, which leads to a series of gruesome and supernatural events. Dr. Berrisford, who seems to be the only one who believes Cynthia's terrifying visions of Harris, tries to unlock the mystery of the haunting and to save her from the deadly grasp of her tormentor.

The film is a nail-biting horror flick that puts the viewers in the middle of the story, making them experience the terror and frenzy that Cynthia goes through. There is an intense sense of suspense and anxiety throughout the movie, and the filmmakers capitalize on these elements to create a unique and chilling atmosphere that engulfs the viewers.

The acting performances are solid, with Jennifer Rubin delivering a compelling portrayal of a survivor struggling with PTSD and a haunting past. Her character's vulnerability, coupled with her strength to fight back against Harris' ghost, is what makes the story more relatable and compelling.

Bruce Abbott's performance as Dr. Berrisford is also noteworthy. He brings a sense of empathy and understanding to the character, as he tries to save Cynthia from the dangers of her past while also facing doubts about his own abilities as a psychiatrist.

Richard Lynch plays the role of Harris, the cult leader, with conviction and intensity. His character is a classic villain with a distinctive creepy charm, and he steals the show in every scene he appears. His ghostly presence and influence on Cynthia's life add a layer of fear and suspense that keeps the viewers glued to the screen.

The screenplay is well-written and features imaginative plot twists that keep the audience guessing until the end. Andrew Fleming's directing skills are on full display in this movie, as he weaves an intricately detailed and suspenseful tale of horror.

The film's special effects are also noteworthy, with several scenes designed to create a jaw-dropping, eerie horror effect. The makeup and special effects teams did a fantastic job at creating the sequences of gore, death, and otherworldly visions that add to the horror of the film.

In conclusion, Bad Dreams is a great horror movie that fans of the genre will enjoy. It has all the elements of a classic horror story, including a haunting past, a supernatural villain, and a series of gruesome and unexpected deaths. With strong performances, imaginative direction, and special effects that deliver the thrills and chills, Bad Dreams stands out as one of the best horror movies of the 1980s.

Bad Dreams
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Description
  • Release Date
    1988
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 24 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.6  (4,312)
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