Die Nacht der Creeps

I'm guessing that if you like 'B-movies' then the title will tip you off towards everything you really need to know about this film. It's cheesy as hell... but great fun (if you like that sort of thing).

For what is effectively a teenage zombie black comedy horror, it starts off squarely in the 'science fiction' territory as some revolting aliens (with unreadable subtitles!) eject a pod of - er something - out into space, which then ends up in a small American town. Guess what... this intergalactic goo doesn't go down too well with us humans and, before long, the town is infested with alien zombies and mutant brain-slugs.

So, if you've seen one horror B-movie then you probably have a rough idea of what to expect here. The acting isn't that great. The plot is daft and the gore is plentiful. So, if you like that sort of thing, you'll have a blast here. Especially as the characters are actually pretty good fun. You often get cardboard cut-outs who you have to force yourself to follow through the story, just so you can get to the next special effects-laden splatterfest, but here they're well-written and rather humourous. Tom Atkins is about the most famous name on the cast - he plays the cop in charge of investigating the weird sightings/murders on campus, but the younger cast-members are all very watchable, too.

Because this was made in the eighties, all of us who like 'practical' effects, rather the computer-generated ones will have a blast at the fact that the brain slugs are beautifully animated and the aliens (for their albeit too small on-screen appearance) are up there with anything featured in 'Star Wars.' It's also quite a 'knowing' kind of film. Like 'Scream' did in the nineties, it - lovingly - mocks the genre it sits in and often nods towards the clichés you'd normally expect from film of this nature.

If you like films full of ridiculous, cheesy black comedy horror, then definitely check this one out. I can't believe I've only just discovered it in 2020 (at least something good has come out of this year!).

Viewing this particular film as a straight horror movie is a mistake. When I first saw this film (in 1989 or so) I thought it was a terrible horror movie and shut it off about half way through. I was under the impression it was a straight up zombie movie from the box art. There where some attempts at humor that fell flat. My problem was I was expecting "Dawn of the Dead" (or at least Day). On second enconter (around 1995) I laughed myself silly. I got the joke. The script is actually a joyous tribute to 50's-80's "B-Movies", Mad science, aliens, couples necking in a convertable (in black and white no less) and a catchphrase spewing hard boiled gumshoe. With out the preconceived notions I found this film quite charming. While not the best of the comedy/horror mix (Scream, American Werewolf in London...) this is a decent attempt at the cross-genre and best enjoyed with freinds.

This movie is so super cool. I love this movie. Even though the stars are like second - billing , this movie is still like no other - its original all in it's own right. Had to be a drive - in film from the looks of the release date. Wish I seen it there! If you have a slug in you , on you or around you - to say the least - you're totally bumming. 80s comedy - horror at its best. Makes you laugh and scares you into jumping out of your seat. Spooky. Funny and different make this a favorite of mine...and maybe yours! I rate this 9 / 10

It's quite good. The lot is here, zombies, aliens, slasher, and slugs, in fact the silliness is that it doesn't know which one to use. The opening scene makes you think it is an alien film, then slugs, then a slasher then zombies.

Fun in parts, but most of all no one seems to care that there is something out there that is killing the fraternity. It's very much an "oh, okay" movie.

For its time, the special effects are exceptionally good although the cat and the dog who have been turned into, well, zombies I think, are quite dodgy. But that's the attraction. It is an 80's B movie that everyone will love to watch. It doesn't take anything serious throughout. Have a laugh and watch it.

"Night of the Creeps" is definitely one of the better B-movies that are out there. Granted, like all B-movies it's a bit hokey at times, and also follows along the trademark lines with films of this caliber (obligatory boob shot, corny dialogue, poor camera techniques, etc.).

But give "Night of the Creeps" its due. First of all, it is fairly original for a B-movie. Alien slugs that infest the brain and turn you into a zombie may seem like a typical B-movie theme, but it's portrayed in a fairly unique manner. Given the time period of this movie's release, and it's obviously small budget, I'm quite impressed with the special-effects of the alien slugs as they race along the ground throughout the film. They're so simple, that it makes them look realistic and somewhat unnerving. In horror films, it is often the most simple effects that are the most discomforting to the viewer. I put these alien slugs along that line.

I really like Tom Atkins ("Lethal Weapon") as Detective Cameron too. He's the perfect actor for this particular role as the washed-up detective. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately for Tom's career, it seems that he often got type-cast to play the depressed, on-edge characters. Atkins is one of the bonuses in this B-flick.

Another "acting bonus" would have to be our two young heroes played by Jason Lively ("European Vacation") and Jill Whitlow. Lively as always plays the young, likable clod. Somewhat bashful, somewhat moronic, somewhat accident-prone, but you can't help but like the guy. And Whitlow is just plain cute. I sometimes think that 80's flicks didn't have enough cute girls in them, but Whitlow is definitely one of them.

All in all, "Night of the Creeps" is good for a B-movie. It'll entertain you for sure, and you won't get sick of it while you're watching. It's definitely one to watch if you're into the B-movie thing.