Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)

29% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(22,264 ratings)

This first theatrical feature spun off from the television series Tales from the Crypt (which was in turn inspired by the infamous EC horror comics of the 1950s) concerns a mysterious man named Brayker (Bill Sadler), who arrives at a church-turned-rooming house in a small town in New Mexico. Hot on… More This first theatrical feature spun off from the television series Tales from the Crypt (which was in turn inspired by the infamous EC horror comics of the 1950s) concerns a mysterious man named Brayker (Bill Sadler), who arrives at a church-turned-rooming house in a small town in New Mexico. Hot on his trail is an equally mysterious and very menacing figure known as the Collector (Billy Zane), who arrives with policemen in tow; he claims that Brayker stole some keys from him, and he wants the cops to help him reclaim them. It turns out, however, that the "keys" are actually several amulets that contain drops of the blood of Christ; they can be used to ward off evil in the right hands, but they can lead the world to doom if used improperly. The Collector and his forces lay siege to the house with the other residents caught in the middle between Brayker and the Collector, including alcoholic Uncle Willy (Dick Miller), prostitute Cordelia (Brenda Bakke), sleazy Southerner Roach (Thomas Haden Church), postal employee Wally (Charles Fleischer), sensible Jeryline (Jada Pinkett), and landlady Irene (CCH Pounder). Bordello of Blood, the second Tales from the Crypt feature, hit theaters the following year. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Ernest R. Dickerson, Gilbert Adler
Genres: Horror, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 13, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Aug 22, 2006
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Pic is neither funny enough nor scary enough to be fully satisfying as either a shocker or a spoof.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Between scenes of splattering gore in which severed heads literally roll across the floor, the movie has a good time spoofing itself and a gallery of mostly sleazy characters who confront a crew of blood-thirsty demons.
David Kronke, Los Angeles Times
Next time out, let's hope it involves a story that can stand on its own, without having to be propped up by the Crypt Keeper's silly patter.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
The movie isn't particularly well-paced, and I found it dull.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Good entertainment stretched to three times its natural length is rarely three times better, but bad entertainment dragged out that long will typically be three times worse.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
There's still a lot of filler in this chiller.
, Film4
Pinkett, at least, went on to better things.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Good-humored gore, ably directed by Ernest Dickerson.
, Time Out
The first in a series, but standards will need to impove if it's to survive.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Billy Zane's finest hour. Yeah, I know, that's depressing.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
A big, dumb Night of the Living Dead rip-off with demons that convince you that Pumpkinhead must have reproduced. Fun junk.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

The Crypt Keeper has always looked pretty dodgy if you ask me hehe a pretty bad puppet but hey its not all about him. The actual set for his crypt always looks cool in a Munster/Addams type way which is fun and kooky, nothing special though. So ye olde Crypt Keeper intros the story… More
The Crypt Keeper has always looked pretty dodgy if you ask me hehe a pretty bad puppet but hey its not all about him. The actual set for his crypt always looks cool in a Munster/Addams type way which is fun and kooky, nothing special though. So ye olde Crypt Keeper intros the story which is a feature length plot and based around a group of people stuck in a building with a demon outside after their blood and a special key which one of them processes. Its kinda like a horror version of 'Assault on Precinct 13' with an 'Evil Dead' black comedy angle which does work pretty well I must admit. Billy Zane does a good job as the head demon hamming it up something huge and churning out some decent lines and visual gags, up against him is William Sadler who, for once, plays the hero and the only one who can stop the demons. The action is good fun and chock full of decent makeup and prosthetics with lots of over the top blood n gore by the bucket full, the plot is actually quite deep revolving around demons dating back through the ages with 'chosen ones' being the only defenders etc....a bit more in depth than the usual Crypt tales. Bottom line though if you like 'Evil Dead' or 'From Dusk Till Dawn' or 'Feast' then I'm sure you will like this ;)
AJ V

This horror movie has a good background story, but I didn't like the characters, they didn't seem to fit right or something. This movie is kind of a mess, but it could be worse. Overall, it's just okay.
Wahida K

Coming to this Horror-Comedy. I like that skeleton cute guy. Tales from the Crypt trilogy isnt exactly a Horror. It is Comedy.
Emily A

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,… More
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 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!
Cindy I

This movie is completely over the top cheesy entertainment, and more fun than it has any right to be.
Jason S

Really good horror comedy action movie. This is the first in what was supposed to be a series of movies based on the tv show and comics. Unfortunately they only managed to get two flicks out before the franchise ran out of steam. This was a good one though. Funny, action packed,… More
Really good horror comedy action movie. This is the first in what was supposed to be a series of movies based on the tv show and comics. Unfortunately they only managed to get two flicks out before the franchise ran out of steam. This was a good one though. Funny, action packed, and the actors seemed to have a lot of fun playing the parts given to them. This is a fun movie not to be taken seriously.
Brian D

Silly gorey fun to be had here.
Kylie B

I really enjoyed this, and it's very annoying that I can't find a region 2 DVD version of it.
Cassandra M

one of the best films of recent years... on a budget that is. yes the acting is happy at times (and brilliant in others, William Sadler really showing his skill as the old man tired of running) and the sets are filmsy, the special effects range from mediocre to terrible but the… More
one of the best films of recent years... on a budget that is. yes the acting is happy at times (and brilliant in others, William Sadler really showing his skill as the old man tired of running) and the sets are filmsy, the special effects range from mediocre to terrible but the shining diamond here is the script and story. having studied both philosophy and theology i read so much more into this film and truly mark it out as one of the best horror films ever. depth, great concept, brilliant script, wonderful set pieces, and a film that sets up the rules and refuses to break them. if only it hadn't been made with that damn crypt keeper!!!
Steven V

Great atmosphere, acting and gore make this movie a must have. The story is surprisingly unique even for a horror film and set up beautifully for multiple sequels. Billy Zane gives an excellent performance,as do most of the cast members. Superb acting from William Sadler too.
Sylvester K

It's fun and funny, a original story with interesting characters and a monster slasher kind influence with some religious themes, it's another cable favourite but good. The acting could be improved along with some scripting and set design but it's a fun flick to watch… More
It's fun and funny, a original story with interesting characters and a monster slasher kind influence with some religious themes, it's another cable favourite but good. The acting could be improved along with some scripting and set design but it's a fun flick to watch after all
Sean S

Best of the Tales from the Crypt movies. Reminiscent of Dusk to Dawn. Billy Zane puts in a fair performance as a demon who has developed a sense of ironic cool.
FanGirl B

I was impressed by this film when I was younger. I'd like to see it again to see if I still think it's that good. Update: Just rewatched it and was still impressed. Fun in that campy, scary way.
*Kimberly *

Classic!
Juny L

Not only Billy Zane is so good as the villain in this film but is a non stop action gory flick with great effects & the demons looks awesome. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img… More
Not only Billy Zane is so good as the villain in this film but is a non stop action gory flick with great effects & the demons looks awesome. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/oscartorrado/demonknight3.gif" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
Leo L

A great film! Billy Zane looked absolutely great!