Nightbreed (1990 film)

Midian Cemetery from Nightbreed (1990)...

Nightbreed, 1990 film

Summary

Based on Clive Barker's original story Cabal. Aaron Boone is haunted by terrifying nightmares of a city of monsters. He goes to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Decker, for help. But what Boone doesn't know is that Decker is really a serial killer. Decker frames Boone to take the fall for his murders, and Boone is killed by the police. But Boone is brought back to life by the monsters of his dreams, the Nightbreed, who in turn join Boone in his quest to stop Decker from killing again.

Details

• Release Date: 1990
• Country/Language: USA, English
• Genres/Technical: Horror, Fantasy
• Runtime: 2 hr 25 min (Director's Cut)
• Starring: David Cronenberg, Craig Sheffer, Anne Bobby
• Director: Clive Barker
• Writer: Clive Barker (original story)
• Producer/Production Co: Morgan Creek Productions, Seraphim Films
• View Trailer: (link)
• Film Website: (link)

Ratings

MPAA Ratings

• Rated: R (Violence, Adult Content)

Tentacle Ratings

A rough measure of how "Lovecraftian" the work is:

• S____ (One Tentacle: Debateably Lovecraftian; has almost no direct connection to Lovecraft's work)

Though not explicitly a Lovecraft film, the "Nightbreed" creatures are, effectively, equivalent to Lovecraft's Ghouls, with a history, culture, origins, and more greatly expanded on by Clive Barker.

Note: This rating is not intended as a measure of quality, merely of how closely related to Lovecraftian "Weird" fiction the work is.

Reviews

Review Links:

• HorrorFreakNews, (link) - "Clive Barker’s Nightbreed is two things at once. It’s a showcase of his storytelling and world-creating abilities, and it’s become infamous as an example of studio interference. 4/5 stars (for restored Cabal Cut)"

Synopsis

 Spoiler Section (Highlight to Read)

Aaron Boone is haunted by terrifying nightmares of a city of monsters. He goes to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Decker, for help. But what Boone doesn't know is that Decker is really a serial killer. Decker frames Boone to take the fall for his murders, and Boone is killed by the police. But Boone is brought back to life by the monsters of his dreams, the Nightbreed, who in turn join Boone in his quest to stop Decker from killing again.

Notes

Associated Mythos Elements

• fiction: Clive Barker, Cabal
• Ghouls
• Midian

Keeper Notes

• The "nightbreed" of Midian are, for all intents and purposes, equivalent to Lovecraft's Ghouls as seen in The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath (fiction), and the lore and fiction behind one can be adapted to the other for world-building purposes....