Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
Director: John Harrison
Actors: Debbie Harry, Matthew Lawrence, Christian Slater
PlotIn the film, a young boy named Timmy is kidnapped by a suburban witch, Betty, who plans to cook and eat him for a dinner party. Locked in a cell in her home, Timmy stumbles upon a book of horror stories called "Tales from the Darkside", and he strikes a bargain with Betty. He offers to tell her three tales from the book, hoping to stave off his grim fate by keeping her entertained until he can find a way to escape. The movie unfolds as an anthology, with each story Timmy tells diving into a unique, dark narrative.
The first tale, "Lot 249", adapted from a story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, revolves around a vengeful mummy awakened in a contemporary college setting, leading to deadly consequences. The second story, "Cat from Hell", based on Stephen King's work, features an old, wealthy man who hires a hitman to kill a black cat he believes is evil incarnate, only for the job to take a supernatural turn. The final story, "Lover's Vow", centers on a struggling artist who witnesses a gruesome murder by a gargoyle-like creature, promising never to speak of it in exchange for his life, a decision that profoundly impacts his future. Through these tales, the movie weaves a tapestry of horror that blends the macabre with the fantastical, all the while keeping the audience curious about Timmy's fate.
Writers: Michael McDowell, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen King
Release Date: 04 May 1990
Runtime: 93 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
A solid Blu-ray release with a quality transfer and bonus features, Scream Factory's edition of Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is a must-have for anthology horror fans.
Read our review of Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Blu-ray Collector's Edition to find out more
Exceptional 4K upgrade of 'Tales from the Darkside: The Movie' with superb extras. A must-have.
Read our review of Tales from the Darkside: The Movie 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray to find out more