Sleepwalkers

Vampiresque horror film written and adapted by Stephen King who touches on most of his recurrent themes, from the hidden horrors in rural America, to the classroom environment, to the preeminent role of animal symbolism. The resulting film is modest but not inconsiderable given that, after a first reel that’s a bit too laid-back, it explodes in all its gruesome, Grand Guignol vigor. It’s no “From Dusk till Dawn” (1996), but the abrupt shift in tone is still jolting.

Fortunately the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, allowing it to turn a blind eye to implausible character motivations along with a few gaping plot holes. The sleepy town of Travis certainly doesn’t stand out as far as the quality of its police force goes, what with officers who can’t shoot straight and all the exploding cop cars. We even get to witness the first police officer in history killed with an ear of corn.

The makeup and special effects – firmly stuck in the 1980s – don’t skimp when it comes to blood and physical deformities. Bonus points for cute killer cats.