Sometimes They Come Back

Watch Sometimes They Come Back

"With "The Shining" and "Misery" Stephen King scared you to death. Now, he's going to scare you back to life."
  • R
  • 1991
  • 1 hr 37 min
  • 5.7  (12,293)

Sometimes They Come Back is a 1991 supernatural horror movie directed by Tom McLoughlin and starring Tim Matheson, Brooke Adams, and Robert Rusler. The movie is based on a Stephen King short story of the same name and follows Jim Norman, a high school teacher haunted by the ghosts of three bullies who he encountered in his youth. The movie opens with a tense scene where Jim's brother and parents are viciously attacked by a gang of teenagers. Jim tries to intervene but is beaten up and left for dead. The incident traumatizes Jim, and he moves away from his hometown to start a new life. Years later, Jim has become a successful high school teacher and is married with a young daughter. However, he still suffers from nightmares and flashbacks of the attack.

Jim's life takes a dark turn when he starts teaching at a new school in his hometown. As he tries to settle in, Jim realizes that his new students bear a striking resemblance to the bullies who attacked him and his family. Soon, Jim starts seeing apparitions of the dead bullies, who seem to be out to settle an old score.

Jim is a sympathetic and relatable character, and Tim Matheson's performance captures his fear, anxiety, and desperation effectively. Brooke Adams plays Jim's supportive wife, Sally, who tries to help Jim cope with his trauma, while Robert Rusler plays the lead bully, Richard Lawson, who torments Jim both in life and death.

The movie's pacing is slow, which allows for a gradual buildup of tension and suspense. The scenes where Jim encounters the ghosts are particularly effective, as the movie uses a combination of practical effects and makeup to create a chilling atmosphere. The movie also explores themes of grief, loss, and the lasting impact of trauma, which adds depth to the horror elements.

The climax of the movie is intense and action-packed, with Jim taking on the ghosts in a final showdown. The resolution is satisfying and ties up most of the loose ends while leaving some room for interpretation.

Overall, Sometimes They Come Back is an engaging and effective horror movie that delivers consistent scares and a compelling narrative. The movie benefits from solid performances, effective direction, and a well-written script that balances horror and drama. Fans of Stephen King adaptations and supernatural horror movies will find much to enjoy in Sometimes They Come Back.

Sometimes They Come Back is a 1991 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.

Sometimes They Come Back
Description
Where to Watch Sometimes They Come Back
Sometimes They Come Back is available to watch free on Tubi TV and Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV Channels, The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Sometimes They Come Back for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1991
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 37 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.7  (12,293)