A kid gets fed up watching her mom fool around with her
boyfriend while driving. She tries to
make them stop and inadvertently causes an accident. Twenty years later, she tries out for a play
and wins the lead. As opening night
approaches, people start being murdered by a black-gloved killer with shards of
broken glass.
Nightmares is an Australian Ozploitation movie that has many
similarities to American slashers and Italian gialli. Since the slasher film was still in its
infancy (it was released the same year as Friday the 13th), I’d have
to say that the giallo thrillers were more than likely its main
inspiration. (A killer wearing black
gloves is a staple of gialli.) Still, the
scenes of horny people being sliced up after humping, and the POV shots of the
stalking killer would feel right at home in an American slasher.
These scenes are done effectively for the most part. It’s the stuff in between the stalking that’s
a little on the dull side. There are a
couple of subplots that bog things down too (like the critic that tries to
seduce an actor in exchange for a favorable review). Considering the running time is only 79
minutes, the pacing should’ve been much tighter.
The ending is also predictable. It’s obvious from the get-go who’s doing the
killing and why. I’m not even sure why
they tried to make it a mystery. It
might’ve worked better if they didn’t try to hide the killer’s
identity. I mean why not? The audience has already guessed who it is
anyway.
AKA: Stage
Fright. AKA: Nightmares on the Street.
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