He Knows You're Alone

He Knows You're Alone seemed to come pretty early in the 80's slasher boom, so it hues closer to Halloween than, say, Friday the 13th in the gore department. It fancies character development and suspense over cheesy effects and severed limbs flying everywhere and it's all the better for it.

Despite a silly detective subplot that feels unneeded (if we're being honest, most detective subplots in these kinds of movies are unneeded), He Knows You're Alone is a fairly well paced and suspenseful slasher film centering around Amy, a bride to be with cold feet, who's being stalked by a mysterious man. She sees him at the bridal store, ice cream shop, outside her window, and even in a carnival haunted house. He's definitely been taking a few pages from the Michael Myers playbook, because he's taking his sweet time to get to her by disposing of her friends and loved ones first, all the while a slightly familiar piano/synth theme plays.

This movie is mostly known for being the breakthrough film of Tom Hanks these days, but He Knows You're Alone stands quite well on its own two legs as a somewhat scary example of a slasher movie. It has its pacing issues here and there, but the characters are well drawn for a film of this type and that just adds to the suspense.

Sure, this movie is definitely a Halloween clone, but why should that mean it's bad? If Halloween is so good and this movie resembles it, then why not like this one as well? I don't understand why so many people have a problem with that. I mean, Halloween itself is a clone of another movie anyway (Black Christmas). So if you can accept that, then accept this one too.

Out of all the 80's slashers, He Knows You're Alone definitely ranks up there with the best and most underrated. Right from the clever opening sequence (which was later copied for the opening of Scream 2), I was instantly hooked. From there, it develops a quick and simple backstory where we learn that the killer was dumped by his fiancé so she could marry another man. And as a result, a few screws are pulled loose in his head and he begins hacking up a bunch of brides-to-be, which brings us to the main character of the film and her friends who he begins to stalk.

The pacing throughout the film was very well done. It built up a very effect creepy atmosphere that oozed with this sort of quiet dread that can really manage to make you feel uneasy. The characters were actually quite likable here, which is something of a rarity in the slasher genre, and they were very well acted (including Tom Hanks in his very first movie appearance). The great musical score, while it will definitely remind you of the Main Title theme of Halloween, also had it's own unique sound that made it very memorable and haunting. It really helped make the atmosphere even creepier, especially afterwards when you've finished watching the movie and the theme is still stuck in your head. Another major plus involves the killer. We barely get to see him and when we do, we're reduced to only a tight shot on his creepy bulging eyes. And it's pretty refreshing to see a killer's bare face since most slasher maniacs always wear a mask.

So if you're a fan of Halloween or other similar themed horror movies, then I would definitely recommend this one. It's a real shame that this one got overlooked during the whole slasher boom that Halloween started back in the 70's and 80's. It's pretty creepy and well worth watching overall.

My Rating 4/5 ****

Yes it is another try for 80's Producer's to make cash on HALLOWEEN well it is not a rip-off more of a clone. A good clone in fact.HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE (1980)stars Caitlan O'Heaney plays a victim who is stalked by a bride killer (Tom Rolfing) since O'Heaney is going to be married to a class clown (Don Scardino) we suggest that they run as fast as they can. This killer is no Michael Myers. In one scene he cuts off Elizabeth Kemp's head! Lewis Arlt plays a detective who is trying to get him for killing his wife. Tom Hanks has his screen debut in this film. The film is really scary at night time. And frightfully fun. The one thing in this film that is not needed is Don Scardino's funness. The most unforgetalbe scene- A girl is killed in a Movie Theater which the scene was later made simular in SCREAM 2. Mostly shot in New York City. And not as good has another 1980 film TERROR TRAIN but way much better than FRIDAY THE 13TH despite it's little violence.

This is one of those rare slasher films where you actually want nearly everyone to survive. I found myself halfway through this film thinking, I wish this was a comedy or a drama so I wouldn't have to watch these people die. The slasher elements are actually the weakest part of the story in my opinion.

The lead final girl was a bizarre choice for the role. Something about those eyes. Very good actress though. The supporting cast is excellent. I thought I might finally see Tom Hanks get killed. Alas it wasn't to be.

If you've watched Halloween 700 times and have worn out The Burning, My Bloody Valentine and The Prowler, give this Suckerbugger a chance. You Shant regret it. Shant.

Some of the scenes in this movie , while we have seen them before, are worth a view, rather odd at times.

Tom Hanks in a bit part as a psychology major talking about fear and how audiences pay to be frightened , as a spoof of the movie itself.

Tom Rolfing as the Michael Myers type villain is good, this is a comparable film to "Halloween". The scene with the fish tank is something you will remember for a few days, at any rate. The scenes in the amusement park are good, better than "Terror Train" a vehicle which included, of all young struggling actors, Bill Maher.

Anyway, if you are up for it, there is also an amusing scene with now famous James Rebhorn ("Far from Heaven", "The Incredible Mr. Ripley") as a cheating professor having an affair with his student. He comes to a bad end, here. 6/10.