Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

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Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

PG-13

1988

1h 36m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

58%

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26 Reviews

66%

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10,000+ Ratings

The cult-movie TV hostess (Phil Rubenstein) inherits an old New England house, a poodle and a black-magic cookbook.

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Critics Consensus

A gothic, campy, raunchy comedy elevated by Cassandra Peterson's iconic persona yet driven off course by one-note jokes, this isn't the best — or worst — introduction to Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

Elvira is all sarky, smutty sex positivity, making a prominent display of her two best assets: her verbal wit, and her ability to laugh at everything and everyone including, first and foremost, herself.

Dec 11, 2018

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Time Out

A predictable plot and cheapskate effects deaden Elvira's occasional witty lines, while references to the horror genre make the film busy without going anywhere.

Jan 26, 2006

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Caryn James

New York Times

There are only a couple of fresh and funny moments.

Rated: 2/5

May 20, 2003

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

It may fall into the "so bad it's good" category—it even won a Razzie—but this cult horror comedy is smarter than it first appears.

Nov 13, 2024

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Utterly delightful, with a very committed Cassandra Peterson delivering an all-time-great goofball performance.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 3, 2022

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

A hilarious and witty send-up of small town puritanical values with stand-out performances by Peterson and MVP McClurg. Elvira is a sex-positive feminist icon and this film deserves way more credit in horror comedy circles.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 2, 2022

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Ralph R

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is a hilariously campy comedy that doesn’t take itself seriously, and that’s what makes it so much fun. Cassandra Peterson shines as Elvira, delivering sharp one-liners and an unapologetically bold performance that carries the film. The story of Elvira shaking up a small conservative town is filled with outrageous humor, cheesy effects, and a good-hearted message about staying true to yourself. It’s silly, self-aware, and endlessly entertaining. Perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted, laugh-out-loud good time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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Jonathan O

This is Elvira's huge 😏 horror comedy moment and is really funny she acts very well and funny and great special effects and tongue and cheek to old horror films and if you love Elvira and Elvira's restaurant at Claremont California y'all gonna love it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

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V M

Just fun!! Simple uncomplicated dirty-ish fun!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

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lena s

5/5 because i love elvira

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

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Emery A

It has a very simple and fun plot that tries to demonstrate how people react to what is different, but the focus is on the character Elvira who is a great icon of gothic culture, she conveys good humor and an open sensuality that is part of her essence.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/24

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Grant B

Everything you could want out of Elvira's big screen debut. Funny, sexy, and ghoulish it's a great movie for the Halloween season.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

Full Review

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James Signorelli

Director

Phil Rubenstein

Director

Larry "Flash" Jenkins

Technical Director

Cassandra Peterson

Elvira

Damita Jo Freeman

Associate Producer

Tress MacNeille

Actor

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Know Your Critic: Dani Bethea, Pop Culture Writer and Horror Connoisseur

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

The cult-movie TV hostess (Phil Rubenstein) inherits an old New England house, a poodle and a black-magic cookbook.

Director: James Signorelli
Producer: Eric Gardner, Marc Pierson
Screenwriter: Sam Egan, John Paragon, Cassandra Peterson
Production Co: Queen B Productions, NBC Productions, Panacea Entertainment, New World Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.1M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround

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