Near Dark

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Jacob B A bit slow-paced but still a good blending of genres, Near Dark scores a ton of points for its atmosphere, mesmerising score from Tangerine Dream, a show-stealing, fun-to-quote-fron Bill Paxton and a then-revolutionary reinvention of vampires. One that apparently relies on the fact that, unlike The Lost Boys and Fright Night, vampires are a completely unknown supernatural entity in the world of Near Dark, meaning no pop culture references for young Adrian Pasdar to use to figure out what's happening to him. Yes, this film has a desert-style setting, fitting the Western influence, making it understandable that the characters are technologically backwards but I don't think that explains why the vampires are apparently humble enough to avoid using such words. While later vampire movies in similar settings might make younger viewers understandably confused over what the big deal is, if you take a "you had to have been there" mindset, you'll find Near Dark to be a moody film that goes for a more "realistic", decidedly unglamourous approach to vampires that demonstrates why Kathryn Bigelow would go on to be one of the most prominent female directors out there. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/18/25 Full Review J.D. O I’m not gonna say much, but Bill Paxton and Lance Hendrickson are the greatest vampires in cinematic history. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/12/25 Full Review Sam S Along with Lost Boys the same year, this was a pretty fresh take on vampires, although this is less glamorous and more stripped down. No castles or fancy outfits, just some nomads scavenging for what little life they can hold onto in the night. Paxton and Henriksen are standouts (there’s even a little Aliens easter-egg on a movie theater marquee). Unfortunately it goes downhill when the movie shifts into action/neo-western gear in the final half hour. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/09/25 Full Review Jen N Near Dark fuses haunted poetry into its truck stop bones ... Caught halfway between farmyard dust and the traffic-light glare of insidiously encroaching industrialisation ... it’s low down and dirtier. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/09/25 Full Review Jerod S It's a 80s western vampire vibe where country boy falls for vampire girl and getting back to his home family involves a lot of smoking vamp skin. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/20/25 Full Review John M Hands down one of the best vampire films of the last half century. This little masterpiece should have erased the highly over-rated "The Lost Boys" from public memory when it came out, but sadly got lost itself in the muddle of late 80's entries in the horror genre. Thankfully the home video market has resurrected this stunner, and it's reputation has only grown over the years as is only proper. Find a copy/ stream it, and settle down for a terrific horror classic with a brilliant cast and some amazing direction from the Oscar-winning Kathryn Bigelow. Like all the best films, you'll find yourself quoting lines from it in odd moments. As the late, great Bill Paxton says in the showpiece tavern scene, "FINger-LICKIN' good!" Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Near Dark

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