A cult classic vampire film from the 1980s has landed on Netflix, and fans are calling it one of their “all-time favourites.”
Fright Night (1985), directed by Tom Holland, is now streaming – bringing its blend of practical effects, gothic horror, and tongue-in-cheek humour to a new generation of horror fans.
The film follows teenage horror buff Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale), who becomes convinced that his mysterious new neighbour, Jerry Dandrige (Chris Sarandon), is a vampire. When no one believes him (not even the police), Charley turns to washed-up TV horror host Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall) for help.
What follows is a battle of blood, stakes, and special effects as the unlikely team attempts to take down a centuries-old vampire hiding in plain sight.
At its core, Fright Night is a tribute to the golden age of horror. Director Tom Holland, making his directorial debut after writing the Psycho II screenplay, reportedly aimed to capture both the scares and fun of the genre.
The film combines 1980s suburban paranoia with gothic horror tropes, but what helped Fright Night stand out was its combination of comedey, thriller, and horror tradition.
It was a surprise box office success at the time, grossing over $24 million on a modest budget. Since then, it has earned a lasting legacy as one of the definitive vampire films of the decade.
Fright Night holds a Tomatometer score of 83% and a 76% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where many viewers describe it as one of their favourite horror films. One user wrote: “Fright Night proves itself as a great, spooky film thanks to its excellent special effects, suitably atmospheric score, cleverly handled premise, and a gleefully devious portrayal by Chris Sarandon.”
Another called it: “One of my ALL-TIME favorites. The acting is phenomenal from all of the cast. Each actor plays their part perfectly to fit the script and the design of the movie itself. The soundtrack will take you right back to the 80s, even if you weren’t there.”
Others praise its unique mix of horror and humour, with one top-rated comment summing it up: “A high school monster kid and a local horror host team up to take on a 1,000-year-old bloodsucker… is there a cooler vampire flick out there?”
Fright Night has since inspired a 2011 remake starring Colin Farrell and Anton Yelchin, as well as a sequel.
Fright Night (1985) is now available to stream on Netflix.