Night of the Creeps - The Dead Truth
"Night of the Creeps" is a cult classic horror-comedy film from the 1980s, known for its mix of scares and humor. Here's a rundown of the movie's story and some fun facts about its production and legacy.
The Story:
"Night of the Creeps" begins with a prologue set in 1959, in which an alien experiment crash-lands on Earth and releases a batch of parasitic slugs that enter the bodies of humans, turning them into zombie-like creatures.
Cut to the present day, where a pair of college students, Chris and J.C., stumble upon the frozen body of one of the original victims. Unbeknownst to them, the body is still carrying the slugs, which thaw out and begin to infect the campus population. With the help of a tough-talking detective and a sorority girl named Cynthia, Chris and J.C. race to stop the slugs from taking over the world.
Fun Facts:
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The film was written and directed by Fred Dekker, who went on to direct "The Monster Squad" and write for "Star Trek: Enterprise" and "Tales from the Crypt."
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The movie was originally titled "Deadly Night," but was changed to "Night of the Creeps" to avoid confusion with another horror movie, "Silent Night, Deadly Night."
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The character of Detective Ray Cameron, played by Tom Atkins, is a hard-drinking, wise-cracking cop who steals the show with his one-liners. Atkins has said that he based the character on Humphrey Bogart, and that the script called for him to be drinking throughout the movie.
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The slugs in the film were created using a combination of practical effects and stop-motion animation. According to Dekker, the team used real slugs as models for the stop-motion animation, and the practical effects involved actors wearing prosthetic makeup.
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The movie includes several nods to classic horror films, including a scene in which Cynthia watches "The Blob" on TV and a character named after horror director David Cronenberg.
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The film was not a box office success upon its release in 1986, but has since gained a cult following and is considered a classic of the horror-comedy genre.
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The film's tagline, "The good news is your dates are here. The bad news is... they're dead," is often cited as one of the all-time great movie taglines.
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In 2019, Dekker announced that he was developing a sequel to "Night of the Creeps," titled "Night of the Creeps: Resurrection." However, there have been no updates on the project since then.
Legacy:
"Night of the Creeps" has become a beloved cult classic in the decades since its release, with fans praising its mix of scares, humor, and nostalgia. The film's influence can be seen in later horror-comedies like "Shaun of the Dead" and "Zombieland," and it remains a favorite among horror fans for its blend of thrills and laughs.
If you're a fan of horror-comedies or '80s movies in general, "Night of the Creeps" is definitely worth checking out. It's a fun, fast-paced ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat and laughing at the same time.