Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight poster & wallpaper

Billy Zane, Brenda Bakke, CCH Pounder

Ernest Dickerson, one-time cinematographer for Spike Lee and director of Demon Knight, said during the initial release of this film that he chose the project because he was a lifelong fan of th...( read more  read more... )e horror genre. Other horror fans should be thankful, because without Dickerson's enthusiasm and visual sense, this derivative gorefest wouldn't come close to the entertainment level that it ultimately achieves. The film was the first big- screen adaptation of HBO's Tales from the Crypt series, a show based on the EC comic books of the '50s. Like Creepshow before it, Demon Knight blends fair amounts of blood, sex, and knowing comedy with a paper-thin plot that doesn't leave a bit of room for subtext. Dickerson understands this, so instead he pumps the flick full of eye-popping visuals and gorgeous camerawork, and populates it with terrific character actors (especially Billy Zane, who really has fun, and William Sadler) who don't seem to care that their characters have little identity. Everyone seems to be giving this tiny project everything they've got, while never taking it seriously for a minute. We've seen the story before: A diverse bunch (a hooker, the town drunk, the ex-con, etc.) is locked in a rundown hotel and is forced to battle the Legions of Evil massed outside and determined to get in. Regardless, Dickerson, shooting with as little light as possible, manages to create some tense moments. There's a lot wrong with Demon Knight's shallow premise, and you could make a checklist of the movies it gleefully steals from (Night of the Living Dead and The Evil Dead are two of many), but thrill-seekers who prefer laughs with their grisly special effects and gratuitous nudity should have a mindless blast watching it. --Dave McCoy

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65% liked it

19,012 ratings

Critics

35% liked it

23 critics

R, 92 min.

Directed by: Ernest R. Dickerson, Gilbert Adler

Release Date: January 13, 1995

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DVD Release Date: August 22, 2006

Stats: 748 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (748)

  • MidnightMadwoman
    August 20, 2009
    MidnightMadwoman
    I really wish Billy Zane were the villain in more movies, he's just so deliciously wicked here. I now have a massive evil-crush on him. In fact, I'd really like to see that same character in another horror movie. It seems such a shame to say goodbye to The Collector. Anyway, this...( read more) is another wonderfully over-the-top, excessively gory, wonderfully campy horror movie with a flimsy-at-best story. And of course blood is the weapon that is key to keeping the demons away. The character design of Billy Zane's demon henchmen is formidable (and strangely familiar) but my favorite part of the film is when the chief evil badass is seducing his human opponents one by one. There's a genuine Deadite quality to the team of monsters and I love the relish with which they dispatch the hapless humans in the hotel. If you just need the key, why kill everyone? And why would you want to keep killing everyone after you've got it? Who cares? We're evil!
  • webalina
    July 6, 2009
    webalina
    This movie is completely over the top cheesy entertainment, and more fun than it has any right to be.
  • jamilyn0276
    August 30, 2008
    jamilyn0276
    This is the Crypt Keeper's first attempt at going Hollywood. This film is complete with a very Tales From The Crypt inspired introduction, with the famous undead story teller.
    The story isn't bad, but it's not stellar. I love watching this movie. I have probably seen it over th...( read more)irty times. Billy Zane is perfectly cast, as The Collector. There is a good supporting cast in this one, including Jada Pinkett Smith, CCH Pounder, William Sadler, and Thomas Haden Church.
    Sure, the story and some of the acting could be better. But, This film stays true to the Crypt style. It is packed full of Cheddar and Colby infused yumminess and side spliting laughs. What more could you ask for in a horror flick?
  • briandeguelle
    July 17, 2008
    briandeguelle
    Silly gorey fun to be had here.
  • crackingdanio
    July 1, 2008
    crackingdanio
    Freaking awesome, has enough horror and comedy to keep everyone entertained. Billy Zane was born to play the collector..awesome. If you love the tv show then you'll love this movie
  • SirGenius
    October 7, 2009
    SirGenius
    Ultimate Evil Laugh.
  • ElCochran90
    September 15, 2009
    ElCochran90
    Tales From the Crypt is not scary? Then this little ultra-gore Hollywood film will catch you off guard. Billy Zane (one of the worst and most hateable actors alive) brings a cool diabolic performance! Prepare your heart and your eyes for an unforgettable ride.

    44/100
  • ellelag75
    June 18, 2009
    ellelag75
    Reminds you a bit of the The Evil Dead trilogies... except for the fact that it' doesn't have the cheesy wit and it's full o crap.

    Aye aye... it's "Tales from the Crypt", what do you expect...
  • lilostitch6
    June 13, 2009
    lilostitch6
    Good movie, T.V. series was great....
  • moblakely73
    June 6, 2009
    moblakely73
    I loved Jada and Billy in this movie. It was the first time I ever saw Billy Zane in a movie.

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Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight Trivia

Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knigh... Trivia

  • Who plays ''the collector'' in the movie tales from the crypt: DEMON KNIGHT...  Answer »
  • True or False: The voice actor for Roger Rabbit starred in "Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight" with Jada Pinkett.  Answer »
  • What film has this tag line : Ready for your dead time story?  Answer »
  • What film did Billy Zane appear in ?  Answer »
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