Synopsis
The movie Alone in the Dark (1982) is a horror film directed by Jack Sholder. The story takes place in a small town where a power blackout occurs, allowing four dangerous and delusional mental patients to escape from a mental asylum. Led by the charismatic Frank Hawkes, the group of escapees takes advantage of the darkness to lay siege to the home of Dr. Dan Potter, their new doctor.
The movie Alone in the Dark (1982) follows Dr. Potter as he tries to protect his family and himself from the deranged patients. Each patient has their own unique psychological disorder, making them unpredictable and deadly. The group includes the pyromaniac Byron “Preacher” Sutcliff, the childlike and violent Ronald “Fatty” Elster, the paranoid and knife-wielding John “The Bleeder” Skaggs, and the delusional and religiously obsessed Frank Hawkes.
As the night progresses, Dr. Potter and his family must use their wits and resourcefulness to outsmart and survive the relentless attacks from the patients. The movie explores themes of fear, madness, and the thin line between sanity and insanity.
Cast
- Jack Palance as Frank Hawkes
- Donald Pleasence as Dr. Leo Bain
- Martin Landau as Byron “Preacher” Sutcliff
- Dwight Schultz as Dr. Dan Potter
- Erland van Lidth as Ronald “Fatty” Elster
- Deborah Hedwall as Nell Potter
Trivia
- The movie Alone in the Dark (1982) was originally intended to be a comedy-horror film but was reworked into a more serious and suspenseful story.
- The film’s screenplay was written by Michael Harrpster and Robert Shaye.
- Alone in the Dark was produced by New Line Cinema, the same studio behind the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.
- The film’s atmospheric score was composed by Renato Serio.
Anonymous on November 1, 2023