Watch Nightmare at Noon

Nightmare at Noon is a 1988 post-apocalyptic action thriller directed by Nico Mastorakis, starring Wings Hauser, Bo Hopkins, and George Kennedy. The film takes place in a small town in the American Southwest, where a mysterious event causes the local townspeople to go insane and turn murderous. The plot is centered around two heroes, a local cop and a visiting geologist, who must work together to uncover the cause of the madness before they too succumb to it.

At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to the town of Canyonland - a remote community in the Arizona desert that is slowly dying out due to a lack of resources and opportunities. In an effort to boost the local economy, the town's mayor invites a team of geologists to explore the surrounding areas in search of valuable minerals. Among them is Harry (Wings Hauser), a hardened loner who has seen it all and doesn't trust anyone. Harry is partnered with the grizzled Sheriff, Hanks (Bo Hopkins), to guide him through the local terrain.

As they venture into the desert, they come across a group of out-of-towners who have been infected with a mysterious disease that makes them act violently and unpredictably. It soon becomes apparent that the entire town has been affected by this virus, which causes people to go insane and turn on each other. The only people who seem to be immune are Harry and Hanks, who must team up to find a way to stop the spread of the disease and save the town.

The film plays out like a classic Western crossed with a contemporary action thriller. The desert setting is beautifully shot and adds a sense of desolation that perfectly captures the bleak tone of the film. The action is well-staged and exciting, with plenty of gunfights, car chases, and explosions to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Wings Hauser delivers a solid performance as Harry, a grizzled anti-hero with a dark past. He is a man who has been burnt too many times and has learned not to trust anyone, which makes his team-up with Hanks all the more interesting. Bo Hopkins is equally good as Hanks, playing the role with a sly wit that gives the film some much-needed levity. Together, they make for a fun dynamic duo that leads the film through its wildest moments.

George Kennedy makes a brief appearance as Judge Richter, a mysterious figure who seems to know more about the virus than he is letting on. His character provides some intriguing backstory to the film, although he is unfortunately underutilized in the overall plot.

The story itself is somewhat predictable, with a twist ending that is hinted at early on in the film. However, the film makes up for this with its tense atmosphere and strong performances. The direction is confident and assured, with Mastorakis showing a keen eye for both action and suspense.

The film's main flaw is that it doesn't explore its post-apocalyptic setting in enough detail. The town is shown to be in a state of decline, but the reasons behind this are never fully explained. Likewise, the source of the virus is left in the realm of mystery, which can be frustrating for viewers who want a clearer explanation.

Overall, Nightmare at Noon is an entertaining action film that delivers on its promise of thrills and excitement. While it may not be a masterpiece, it is a fun addition to the post-apocalyptic genre that deserves more recognition than it has received. Fans of Wings Hauser or Bo Hopkins will find plenty to enjoy here, as will anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned action flick.

Nightmare at Noon is a 1988 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.