Mr_Ectoplasma The first word that comes to mind when describing "Night Warning" is "sophisticated"—a word I'm using loosely, though this low budget '80s shocker is definitely a cut above most. Susan Tyrrell stars as an overbearing aunt to a teenager, Billy (Jimmy McNichol), whose parents died when he was a child. As Billy nears adulthood, Billy's aunt becomes increasingly neurotic; enough to the point that she stabs a repairman to death in their house when he refuses her sexual advances. Enter a bigoted police detective who believes Billy was responsible for the murder by way of a gay love triangle between the repairman and his basketball coach, and what ensues is nothing short of mayhem.Unusual in thematic content and character makeup, "Night Warning" (also known as "Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker") is an apt horror-thriller that is probably ten times better than one would expect. Directed by William Asher, a veteran most known for his direction of TV classics such as "I Love Lucy" and "Bewitched," the film has a superior edge over most of its peers in both content and execution. Solid direction and atmosphere are abundant, while the performances really bring the script to life. Susan Tyrrell is fantastic as the overbearing, sexually-repressed aunt, and Jimmy McNicol plays the "normal teenager" impressively. Bo Svenson is appropriately repugnant as the homophobic and misguided police detective.Aside from the classy direction, the script is also incredibly interesting in thematics; it's essentially a modern twist on Oedipus Rex, and the execution is fantastic. It's also extremely unusual (and pioneering) for its incorporation of a sympathetic, non-archetypical gay character maligned by circumstances and social bigotry. For 1982, it's definitely far from the standard— daring, in fact— and this alone makes the film a curious and unusual piece of eighties celluloid. That, and, who can't love Susan Tyrrell going on a stark-raving-mad murder spree?Overall, "Night Warning" is a classy and well-executed horror film-cum-twisted family drama. Asher's direction is great, the special effects are on par, and the performances are glorious, both the understated and the outrageous. Of the slew of horror films from this era, "Night Warning" is an honest depiction of familial trauma, unwavering violence, and social oppression. It juggles its thematics with flair and moodiness, all while maintaining the impressions of a horror picture. Watch for: an early performance from Bill Paxton, and one of the greatest car crash sequences I've ever seen. 9/10.

d_m_s This is a very dark and serious slasher is and slight above average in terms of low budget b-movie slashers. In fact, I'm not even sure if you would call it a slasher. It's just a very dark toned horror film.Susan Tyrrell was remarkably good as the mental Aunt Cheryl. Bo Svenson was also very convincing as the homophobic detective who is determined to convict those he thinks guilty for a recent murder(i.e. homosexuals) regardless of evidence to the contrary. These two characters lend the film a very menacing tone and make it quite and uncomfortable watch. Although this film is somewhat better made than most b-movie horrors and has some very good performances, it lacks the humour that other slashers have and so it's a bit of an uncomfortable watch rather than a fun one.

rixrex This film has a reputation that is really greater than the sum total of the film itself. While it is quite an unusual take on a pretty standard plot idea of a young man who was raised by a domineering mother-figure with a fair amount of sexual tension in the relationship, it doesn't really stand out in any particular way. The unique nature of the film is that the young man, typically the twisted character in other films of this type, is the most normal character here, and other characters around him are more than peculiar.But, other than that, the rest of the production is pretty average, meaning the acting, direction, plot development, effects, editing, etc, are all rather pedestrian and not really interesting. What will keep your interest is the gradual revealing of the main plot point of: What really was the boy's history?Of particular offense is the police character as played by Bo Svenson, a dogmatic, gay-bashing moron, who is less sympathetic than the actual killer, but who gets his just rewards at the end. The final 'epilogue' gives the viewer a feeling that this was based on a true story. It wasn't.Also of note, Julia Duffy, as the boy's girlfriend, has a topless scene, perhaps the only one she's ever done on film.

Sprintbuzz When I first got a hold of this movie last year, I'd heard a little about it. When I first watched it, I thought it was boring. But after watching it a few more times, I grew to love it.Let me tell you, anyone who is a horror fan or a fan of Susan Tyrell MUST see this movie. I has great acting and a great story and a great ending. In the middle there isn't much action but the end easily makes up for that. Bo Svenson as the annoying detective was great. I was so pleased when he got his dues at the end. But Susan Tyrell easily steals the show. Her as the insane aunt was just hilarious! The way she acts is just so funny! Her performance alone is worth the whole movie! This was one of the films labeled as a 'video nasty' in the UK, and it's easy to see why. There are things in this movie like homophobia and incest(!). But this just adds to the fun! If you are a horror fan and have not seen this movie, you need to check this one out. It won't disappoint! And watch out for the crazy Susan Tyrell! 10/10