Stage Fright

I certainly didn't have very high expectations and I still was disappointed. Production wise pretty good, actors were not bad, the plot wasn't any worse than in any other movies of the kind, but.... no. It was tiresome to watch through, waiting for anything at all to redeem this movie, but ... no, nothing really. Only psycho sexual slasher thriller cliches used a million times already in the early 80's, following unoriginal plot to the uninteresting end. Even the nudity and sex was was boring, and though I had hoped Brian May score would've been interesting, even that was unfortunately generic and merely ok.

Australia's answer to the slasher market… well kind of, as this weird, trashy psychodrama does contain numerous elements found it slashers. Not perfect by any stretch, but it especially does a good job constructing its stalk and slash sequences with stylish verve and a real mean streak to boot. Like other reviewers mentioned it has a striking resemblance to Michele Soavi's late 80s slasher "Stagefright" and there's a touch Giallo evident. The POV shots do at times strike a nerve; just listen to the heavy breathing. The suspense when it's on, is gripping and the attack scenes are brutal and bloody. Hearing the glass slice the skin really does come through in these scenes. Also it doesn't skimp on the sleaze and nudity either. However it's too bad that the editing throws up some random scenes that are poorly linked, or don't add much to the unfolding situations and the final twist is so easy to pick up on that it's no surprise when its revealed. When it's not focusing on the stage cast and crew being dispatched, it's somewhat textbook in its tired dramas. Surprisingly the opening sequences are very effective in setting up a scarred character.

There were some names attached to this Australian production that horror fans will recognise. Jenny Neumann playing the lead character, the aspiring actress with a troubled past would be known for her part in the Linda Blair's starring slasher "Hell Night" the following year. Also attached to the project was Colin Eggleston as writer, who brought us the eco-horror "Long Weekend" and would later churn out an even more stranger and ultra-slick slasher in "Cassandra" (1986). You could also throw in director John D. Lamond who was behind some Ozploitation films like "Felicity" and "Pacific Banana".

Lamond ups the atmospheric traits (good use of a theatre setting), keeps the drama thick with touch oddness and stays rather traditional in the set-up. No surprises, but just like our central character it can be a neurotic and twisted jumble. Although towards the closing stages it does feel fairly rushed and contrived. The performances are acceptable, if at times a little over-colourful and the dialogues did have that blunt nature to them. And that music score is far from subtle.

NIGHTMARES (aka: STAGE FRIGHT) opens with a little girl inadvertently causing a car accident in which her mother is killed. Years later, Helen (Julie Neuman) is a struggling actress, auditioning for a part in a play. Still haunted by her mum's death, Helen is very insecure and emotionally unstable.

Meanwhile, a randy, naked couple are murdered in an alley. Everything seems to point to the guilt of one person, though the killer is never shown.

While Helen is busy working on her first relationship with a man, more grisly murders occur, including the butchering of the world's most odious theater critic.

In the end, it all adds up to very little, providing no real surprises or twists. This movie is for those who simply want a blood-soaked experience with extra helpings of nudity.

TWO INTERESTING FACTS: #1- Glass always breaks in big, knife-shaped shards, suitable for murdering people! #2- Having sex can only lead to death by knife-shaped glass shards!...

Easy to watch slasher flick with basic thin plot starring jenny neumann from hell night.

Most of the ingredients for a good horror filmare here , blood ,deaths , naked bodies and sex.

Set around a theatre company and the performance of a new play the actors and the crew are picked off one by one,quite a short film that runs at a nice pace. The acting and the string score are quite good, the killings are basic worth a watch.

Pleasant scope photography elevates this poorly thought out "whodunit" where there's no mystery as to who the killer is for even a second. Every character is a cardboard cutout in line for the slaughter and all the death scenes lack variety. This might be one better left forgotten.