The Dark Side of Midnight

My review was written in February 1988 after watching the movie on Prism video cassette.

"The Dark Side of Midnight" is another amateur production released by Troma, the N. Y.-based distributor yet to upgrade its product. Pic bears a 1984 copyright and was released briefly to theaters in 1986 ahead of current home video availability.

Wes Olsen performs virtually all credits here in a relentlessly dull attempt at a "thriller" about a slasher preying on folks in Fort Smith, Arkansas (where the pic was lensed). He's called in as a specialist private eye when local police are baffled by the murderer called "The Creeper".

Nominal lot has the local mayor (Dave Bowling) obstructing the course of James Moore's investigation in order to further his own scheme to sell some local land to developers planning to build a university in Fort Smith.

The acting is extremely stiff and amateurish, and action scenes are kept to a minimum. With violence off camera, no sex and no nudity, pic has nothing to offer to the exploitation market. On any other level, it is inept. Casting the tall killer to look a lot like cop James Moore doesn't pay off, it's just a mistake. Lack of an ending is another problem.

My friend managed to by a VHS copy of this movie in a car boot sale for 50 pence. The acting is very cheesy, some of the facial expressions are classic!. Warning even though this is a Troma films release, hardcore Troma fans will be disapointed cause of the lack of blood, gore and actual shock value. I think this movie has been deleted now but if your lucky enough to get hold of a copy watch it because it's the funniest film you might ever see.

Wes Olsen's "The Dark Side of Midnight" is a pure garbage that can be pretty amusing,if you're in the right mood.The police in a small town of Fort Smith have one confrontation after another with an evil and vicious killer called The Creeper.This film is so boring and lifeless that you'll need some fresh air after watching it.The acting is hideous and the gore is awful.And yes,the cops here are incredibly dumb and provide some laughs.Check it out,if you enjoy Troma films.However if you're a casual horror fan avoid this mindless junk like the plague.

In the early 1980s there was a glut of slashers. Almost any given weekend a new one was released. Many of these have become classics, many more are forgotten to most but the die hard fans. And then there is The Dark Side of Midnight.

This police procedural (in the loosest sense) focuses on the return of the Detroit Creeper, a killer who has been living in a chest in attic of a young boys family!

The Creeper begins murdering babysitters and also the young boy. Meanwhile, the police are trying to capture him despite the corrupt mayor hindering their every move.

Full of the cheesiest acting you ever have seen, The Dark Side of Midnight is absolutely hilarious. Unfortunately, with almost no gore or nudity, it feels like a made for tv movie.

Despite these flaws, The Dark Side of Midnight is immensely fun in how inept it is. Trash fans should seek this out, it is far better than other troma slasher pick-ups like Shadows Run Black.

this movie was great. it had everything like: killing, teenage girls and mustaches, mustaches, mustaches! did i mention the mustaches? if you love to look at mustaches then buy this movie. but mustaches aside, this movie is so funny. there are some great one liners in this. DUMBEST COPS EEEEEEEVER. i dont care watch anyone says , this is not a horror film....nor is it trying to be one. its more of a suspence thriller/comedy. honestly, they couldnt have been serious about this movie. check it out.