Watch Tales from the Darkside: The Movie

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is a 1990 horror anthology film consisting of three distinct stories, each one more chilling than the last. The film is directed by John Harrison, who also wrote the screenplay with Michael McDowell. It stars Debbie Harry, Matthew Lawrence, and Christian Slater, among others. Based on the television series of the same name, the movie takes its audience on a journey into the world of darkness and horror.

The first of the three stories is "Lot 249," adapted from a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story centers around a college student named Bellingham (Steve Buscemi) who is seeking revenge on his fellow classmates, who he feels have wronged him. Bellingham acquires an Egyptian mummy through shady means and uses black magic to reanimate it. What follows is a brutal and terrifying revenge plot that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The second story, titled "The Cat From Hell," is an adaptation of a short story by Stephen King. It follows a hitman named Halston (David Johansen) who is hired by an elderly man to kill a black cat. The cat, however, is no ordinary feline, and Halston soon finds himself in a desperate and terrifying struggle for his life.

The final story, "Lover's Vow," was written specifically for the film by Michael McDowell. It begins with an artist named Preston (James Remar) who encounters a gruesome creature while leaving a bar. The creature promises to spare his life if he keeps its existence a secret. Preston agrees, but over time, he struggles with keeping the creature's secret from his fiancee (Rae Dawn Chong) and finds himself spiraling into a world of horror and deceit.

These three stories are interspersed with scenes featuring a young boy named Timmy (Matthew Lawrence) who is held captive by an evil witch (Debbie Harry). The witch intends to cook and eat Timmy, but he tries to delay his fate by telling her stories from a mysterious book she has in her possession. As Timmy's stories progress, the witch becomes enraptured with them, giving Timmy a glimmer of hope that he might survive.

The movie is an excellent example of the horror anthology genre, with its diverse range of stories providing something for all horror fans. From the creepy and unsettling tale of "Lot 249" to the darkly comedic "The Cat From Hell" and the tragic and haunting "Lover's Vow," each story stands on its own while still fitting into the overarching narrative.

The film boasts a talented and diverse cast, with several notable performances from the likes of Steve Buscemi, David Johansen, and James Remar. Debbie Harry is particularly memorable as the evil witch, giving a chilling and unhinged performance that steals every scene she's in.

Furthermore, the film's special effects and practical makeup work are impressive for their time, with the creature designs and gore effects being particularly noteworthy. The use of practical effects adds to the film's overall mood of dread and horror, and the practical makeup effects are genuinely unsettling in some cases.

In conclusion, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is a must-see for horror fans, especially those who enjoy the anthology format. It's a timeless example of the genre with excellent performances, intriguing stories, and impressive practical effects. The film's eerie and tense atmosphere will keep viewers enthralled from start to finish, making it a must-watch for anyone looking for a good scare.

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is a 1990 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 54.