American Nightmare (2002) (V)

User Rating:

3.9/10   

Director:

Jon Keeyes

Writer:

Jon Keeyes (writer)

Release Date:

7 April 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

One Night, Seven Friends Confess Their Fears...... To A Killer

Plot:

A deranged female serial killer stalks seven young people whom phone a radio call-in show to discuss their darkest fears and a night-long game of cat-and-mouse is put into motion by the darkly sinister-looking murderess.

Plot Keywords:

Fear | Pirate Radio | Halloween | Psychopath | Halloween Party

Cast

Debbie Rochon	...	Jane Toppan
Brandy Little	...	Jessie McClain
Johnny Sneed	...	Wayne Holcomb
Chris Ryan	...	Caligari
Robert McCollum	...	Tony Collins
Kristin McCollum	...	Cynthia Collins
Heather Haase	...	Melanie Ryan
Kenyon Holmes	...	Bruce Miller
Rebecca Stacey	...	Misty McClain
Kimberly Grant	...	Trisha McClain (as Kimberly Deanne Morgan)
Hayden Tweedie	...	Deanna
Scott Phillips	...	Rick
Brinke Stevens	...	Lisa
Michael H. Price	...	Stan
Jessica Reed	...	Leanne

MPAA:

Rated R for violence/terror, language and some sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

UK:15 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Germany:16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cleburne, Texas, USA

Company:

Highland Myst Entertainment

Trivia:

Chris Ryan, who plays radio DJ Caligari, is a real-life radio DJ for KEGL in Dallas, Texas. Much of his DJ ranting was adlibbed.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the opening scene where the killer chases the characters through the woods the shadow of a cameraman with his camera is clearly visible against a well lit tree.

Quotes:

[repeated phrase]
Jessie McClain: It's all good.

Movie Connections:

References From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Soundtrack:

4:30 AM

With a Better Beginning and Conclusion, This Weird Story Would Be a Good Low Budget Movie

In Texas, seven friends meet in a bar to celebrate the Halloween night before going to a party. Meanwhile, they call the American Nightmare pirate radio for fun and confess their innermost fears. A serial killer, who is listening to their confessions, makes their nightmares come true, killing each one of them in a sadistic way. "American Nightmare" is a weird low budget movie that has a horrible beginning: without any previous explanation, a woman kills two couples in an isolated camping area, as if it were Friday, 13th. Then, the story shifts to a bar, where seven friends are celebrating Halloween. From this moment on, the story has a great potential, and the unknown cast has a very reasonable performance, showing also some beautiful breasts and naked bodies, as usual in this type of C production. However, the end of the screenplay does not provide any explanation for the killing instinct and motives for the behavior of the nurse Jane Toppan, giving the sensation that the budget ended before the finalization of the shooting. With a better beginning and conclusion, this weird story would be a good low budget slasher movie. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "Agonia" ("Agony")