Bad Dreams (1988)

13% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(955 ratings)

The sole survivor of a psycho-led mass suicide awakens from a 13-year coma and begins having visions of the cult leader who was also killed in the fiery death scene. She resists his efforts to have her join him in the hereafter, and soon members from her therapy group start dropping like flies. ~… More The sole survivor of a psycho-led mass suicide awakens from a 13-year coma and begins having visions of the cult leader who was also killed in the fiery death scene. She resists his efforts to have her join him in the hereafter, and soon members from her therapy group start dropping like flies. ~ Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Andrew Fleming
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Apr 8, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Apr 18, 2006
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Andreas Samuelson, Slasherpool
"Nightmare on Elm Street" rip-off with talky script, predictable plot twists, off-screen murders and no gore.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
A solid, underrated horror film.
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
Aside from a suitably intimidating performance from Richard Lynch (and a handful of semi-creative kill scenes), there's not a whole lot to recommend the thing.
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
Whether you're an old fan of this film, or just looking for a good blind buy, seek no further. Bad Dreams does everything that it should in spades, and is a worthy addition to anyone's personal DVD library.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Almost funny enough to be entertaining, but not quite.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

I'm kind of caught here. I somewhat liked it, but came away rather under-whelmed because it was all too familiar and there was something more interesting within this strange horror/thriller premise than what was chalked up. Even with some creative cracks, it should've been… More
I'm kind of caught here. I somewhat liked it, but came away rather under-whelmed because it was all too familiar and there was something more interesting within this strange horror/thriller premise than what was chalked up. Even with some creative cracks, it should've been better. The story's direction seems a little uneven if it wants to go out to shock (a good amount of blood splatter is spilt), or play its cards for psychological torment. Something about it never entirely fulfils. The performances are the main reason this one doesn't slip off the mind too quick. The beautiful Jennifer Rubin is exceptional in brining out a vulnerable side, which is counter-punched by determination. Alongside her are a very good Bruce Abbott and a towering Richard Lynch brings an uneasy subtly to his menacing character. Harris Yulin, Sy Richardson, Susan Ruttan and an amusingly batty Dean Cameron chip in with durable support. Andrew Fleming's leisured direction is stylish, but has that breakable quality to it. Good use of lighting, colouring and composition in pockets drips of atmosphere. The material is enjoyable (if minimal), as the protagonist tries to overcome the hallucinations that might be because of her unstable state of mind or the simple reality of being haunted by a restless spirit. There's some black humour evident, but the by-the-numbers script goes about things rather seriously. As well it has a fine and compelling soundtrack to boot. The special effects and make-up FX stands-up well enough. A decent little film.
Dean M

Not a bad horror cult-classic of being haunted and hunted by the ghost.
Dr Blood

This tried hard to cash in on the success of "Nightmare on Elm Street 3", even involving many of the same cast members, but it just isn't anywhere near as good. When I first watched it back in 1988, I didn't even know that there were such things as cults who made… More
This tried hard to cash in on the success of "Nightmare on Elm Street 3", even involving many of the same cast members, but it just isn't anywhere near as good. When I first watched it back in 1988, I didn't even know that there were such things as cults who made mass suicide pacts. If any film could have predicted the Waco thing this is it. Looking back on it now, it's quite eerie really even if it isn't much of a horror film.

Cast

            Jennifer Rubin as Cynthia

            Bruce Abbott as Dr. Alex Karmen

            Richard Lynch as Harris

            Dean Cameron as Ralph

            Harris Yulin as Dr. Berrisford

            Susan Barnes as Connie

            Sy Richardson as Detective Wasserman

            Missy Francis as Young Cynthia

            John Scott Clough as Victor

            Damita Jo Freeman as Gilda

            Louis Giambalvo as Ed

            Alba Francesca as Reporter #3

            James Bershad as Unity Member #9

            Charles Bouvier as Ralph's Policeman

            Elizabeth Daily as Lana

            Ellaraino as Reporter #2

            Charles Fleischer as Ron the Pharmacist

            Sarina C. Grant as Nurse

            Chip Johnson as Reporter #5

            Ben Kronen as Edgar

            Kristina Loggia as Unity Member #5

            Evan MacKenzie as Unity Member #10

            Coleen Maloney as Unity House Nurse

            Maria Melendez as Reporter #4

            Jon Menick as Night Guard Anthony

            James Purcell as Paramedic

            Romy Rosemont as Nurse

            Susan Ruttan as Miriam

            Sheila Scott-Wilkinson as Hettie

            Don Sparks as Policeman at Fire

            Steve Whiteford as Reporter #7

            Tony Cecere as Fireman

            Julianne Dallara as Unity Member #8

            Philip Granger as Male Unity

            Brian Katkin as Physical Therapist

            Thomas Oglesby as Cynthia's Policeman

            Tim Trella as Male Unity

            Rex Lee Waddell Jr. as Male Unity

            Annie Waterman as Female Unity

            Steven Anderson as Reporter #1

            Julianna McCarthy as Nurse
See full cast

Bad Dreams (1988)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

Dean M

Dr Blood

Cast

Trailers & Clips