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Originally derived from a 1950shorrorcomic book of the same name,Tales from the Cryptonce again became a huge hit when it premiered as a television series back in the late ’80s. A very sinister-looking but joke-filled skeleton called The Crypt Keeper would host every episode, introducing viewers to that week’s terrifying tale. A gunfighter relentlessly haunted by his victims? How about the vampire who secretly works at a blood bank? What about the ventriloquist with a dark secret?
With 93 episodes and seven seasons worth of content made from 1989 to 1996, so many entertaining nightmares were to be had with this show. There are definitely someTales from the Cryptmovies that deserve the spotlight as well, and the first one may just be the most underrated Halloween movie ever.
What Is Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight?
Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knightwas technically a box office success, but both past and present critics seem to loathe it. “The least horrible of the three,” “Dead on arrival,” and “A lot of filler in this chiller” are only some of the critiques thrown at this 1995 theatrical feature. On the other hand,Demon Knightmight just have been taken too seriously. Unlike others in the horror genre, the Billy Zane and Jada Pinkett Smith starring movie does have world-ending stakes but balances this heavy theme with wacky characters and even wackier action sequences.
A boarding house with a prostitute, a postal worker, and a paroled criminal becomes the last defensive holdout from anall-powerful demonwho desires an ancient relic. This key holds the blood of others, most notably Jesus Christ himself. This movie also features creatures with glowing green eyes and depicts the use of spark plugs as sources of intense pleasure, as well as guns and grenades galore. Yeah, it gets a little wacky.
The Collector Chases After a Great Power in Demon Knight
With the protagonist and the antagonist being played by William Sadler (Hawaii Five-0) and Billy Zane (Titanic), these power players easily raisethis paranormal storyto new heights. Sadler plays an immortal soldier of religion, while Zane is a fiend of the underworld but in human form.The two become embroiled in a game of cat and mouse, with the latter after the key that Sadler’s Brayker holds close(this is the last key needed to unlock the power of the cosmos).
Named The Collector, Zane’s caricature of a charming but sinister figure is mesmerizing to the point where you just want to see more of him even though he wants to bring aboutthe end of the world. While she’s just a part of the crowd that fills the boarding house in the beginning ofDemon Knight, Smith’s quick-witted and smart-mouthed Jeryline becomes a better match for The Collector as the movie rolls on.
Tales From the Crypt: Every Movie and TV Show, Ranked
Tales From the Crypt has some highs and some lows. Do you know which ones were the best in the series?
Besides some wacky character dynamics (such as the lone postman who is infatuated with one of the boarding house escorts or the “tough” client/cook named Roach who has some bizarre fetishes),Demon Knighthad the benefit of being made right at the precipice of computer-generated imagery(or CGI). Therefore, practical effects were used to create the many demon minions and their explosions upon death. According to FX legend and makeup artist Todd Masters in an interview withDaily Dead, not only were leg extensions utilized, but a lab assistant and a runner on set were the ones in the grotesque demon roles — the whole-body makeup suits would cover the fact that they only had underwear on. Talk about dedication. With the movie havinga total budget of only $12 million, the slimy, otherworldly beings look so much better than you would expect and certainly balance the comedy out with a grisly, dark gravitas.
An Epic Rock (And Hip Hop) Soundtrack?
As said before, a handful of perverted jokes andexpletive-filled one-linerstend to landDemon Knightin a category of its own — far away from other mainstream horror movies of 1995, like the sixth installment ofHalloween,The Fear,orLord of Illusions. Not to mention that the first theatricalTales from the Cryptstory also separates itself from others with its combustiblerock-centric song selection.
Besides one single from hip-hop group Gravediggaz, household names from the ’80s also have a slot, like Megadeth, Rollins Band, and Pantera. The soundtrack for the movie even made it onto the Billboard 200 a month after the film’s release. Whoever thought rock and hip-hop would fit into such a movie as this one?
Tales From the Crypt: 13 Facts You Didn’t Know About the Horror Series
Throughout its seven seasons, Tales From the Crypt had excellent viewer feedback and was even nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards.
With all these pieces of the puzzle coming together for this Eric Dickerson-directed film (he also did work forThe WireandLaw and Order), how could you go wrong? What this film lacks in quality (as notable reviewers proclaim) is made up for by unique story choices and originality. Even if this film isn’t at the top of anyone’s list regardingmemorable scary movies, it should be watched at least once by all horror fans. If you’re in for a good time,Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knightis available to stream onStarz.
