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5.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Night of Terror remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, you probably already know if you like this kind of thing. If you want a rainy afternoon movie where someone gets bumped off every ten minutes in a dusty library, jump right in. But if you need, like, pacing or a plot that makes sense, keep walking. 🕸️
The whole premise is just people waiting around to inherit money, which is basically the best motivation for a horror movie ever. They are all terrible, which makes watching them get picked off by an unseen killer kind of fun. Nobody likes these characters, and I don't think we’re supposed to.
Bela Lugosi is in it, which is obviously why anyone is clicking play today. He doesn’t have a ton to do, but he stands in corners looking suspicious like only he can. It reminded me a bit of the vibe in The Purple Mask, where everyone is just kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop.
There is a seance scene that goes on for a while. It’s meant to be spooky, but it mostly just feels like a bunch of people sitting in the dark trying not to sneeze. It lacks the punch of later, punchier stuff like The Exile, but it has that weird, grainy texture that makes old black-and-white movies feel like a fever dream.
One of the heirs is just so frantic. Every time they walk into a room, they look like they’ve seen a ghost even when there’s just a lamp. It’s hilarious. I found myself rooting for the killer just to get the exposition over with.
Is it a masterpiece? Absolutely not. It’s a 1933 flick that feels like it was put together with glue and good intentions. But there’s something about the way the light hits those old velvet curtains that I just love. It’s not about the scares. It’s about the atmosphere. It’s about being stuck in a house with people you hate. 🕯️
Don't look for deep meaning here. Just grab a snack and enjoy the nonsense.
