Review: Nightmare Man

Text © Richard Gary / Indie Horror Films, 2023
Images from the Internet

Nightmare Man
Directed by Rolfe Kanefsky
Valkhn Films; Paradigm Pictures; Delusional Films; Ronin Films; MVD Visual
87 minutes, 2006 / 2022
www.mvdvisual.com

It should come as no surprise that the centerpiece of this film is second generation Scream Queen Tiffany Shepis. But she is so much more than just that, she is a force of nature. I have reviewed a number of her films over the years, including Model Hunger (2016) and The Black Room (2017, by the same director), and even Caesar and Otto’s Paranormal Halloween (2015). Heck, she goes back as far as the “classic” Tromeo and Juliet (1996), among other Troma flicks, which is where I first became aware of her. But before most of those, there was Nightmare Man.

The center of the film, however, is a couple trying to conceive: Ellen (busty Blythe Metz, who gets to have a gratuitous shower scene in the first five minutes) and toxic masculinist know-it-all Bill (Brazilian actor Luciano Szafir, who was once married to singer/television personality XuXa). To help “get it up” in William’s words, they try a fertility mask, which ends up being a horned, ugly thing, that you just know is going to be nuthin’ but trouble.

Tiffany Shepis, Hanna Putnum, Blythe Metz

This leads to the personification of the Nightmare Man (Aaron Sherry), who keeps cropping up in her – er – nightmares. For this, Bill is on the way to take her to a mental hospital as paranoid schizophrenic, but along the way, trouble occurs, forcing her into the woods and a lone cabin near Big Bear Lake, California, with some participants (the body count) that she befriends. But can they stop The Nightmare Man? I am now 15 minutes into the film, and I have a guess about the ending. I will state later if I am right or wrong, but will not disclose what that is.

Jack Sway, Shepis, James Ferris

In the cabin are two college friends, Mia (Shepis) and Trinity (Hanna/Johanna Putnum) and their respective boyfriends, loveable doofus Ed (Jack Sway, who has no IMDB credits since 2008; he wears a shirt for an earlier Kanefsky film from 1991) and macho man Jack (James Ferris). Being a Kanefsky release, there is a strong sexuality (more than sensuality) element to the film, which interplays (and sometimes inter-cuts through editing) of both. He is both known for his softcore as his horror work, so they usually combine in some ways. For example, every female in the story gets to strip to their bra at some point, and most show their ”goods” as well. To be fair, there is also male nudity (from behind).

About halfway through, I now know I was wrong. I have a second guess, but I certainly hope I am mistaken, because it is too obvious (which is why I had the first guess).

I do not usually talk to the screen – you know, “get out of there!!” “Don’t do [whatever stupid action]!!”) – but in this case, after a bit of carnage, someone goes into the woods by themselves and hears a rustle and says, “Somebody out there?” even after being warned about the killer. I sarcastically said to the television, “Well, duh! You deserve to die!”

The gore SFX looks good, reminiscent of the early Friday the 13th franchise. While not overly bloody, the kills are nice and gruesome. Definitely retro to the ‘80s, which is appreciated. There are also a few well-done jump scares.

There are quite a few extras included, two of which are new for the Blu-ray release. The first is the featurette, “There’s Something Out There: The Making of Nightmare Man” (26 min). This includes interviews with writer/director Rolfe Kanefsky, Tiffany Shepis and Blythe Metz, producer Esther Goodstein, and makeup effects artist Jeff Farley. It is well done and worth the watch, discussing the likes of origin of the idea, casting, anecdotes, and on-set tensions, all told with a wink of the eye. Another newbie is the Film Score Audio-Only Track (unplayed by me).

Archival from the previously released DVD in 2007 includes another, similar themed featured, “Creating a Nightmare: The Making of Nightmare Man” (22 min), with the difference being that this is mostly behind the scenes of the filming, with some interviews, audition reels, SFX, and includes a gag reel. with interviews from writer/director Rolfe Kanefsky, all with a sense of humor. Also, there is “Tiffany's Behind-the-Scenes,” (18 min) which is mostly shot and narrated live-on-camera by Shepis. It is pretty damn funny.

Of course, there is an Audio Commentary with Kanefsky, Shepis, and Goodstein. You can tell they had fun doing it. They joyfully discuss what is on the screen, personalities, shooting anecdotes, incontinuities, and the usual stuff. Again, worth the watch, though there is the occasional talking over each other. Then there are the Extended Scenes (16 min), which were good but right to be edited, and the “Flubbing a Nightmare Gag Reel” (7 min).

Finally, there is a Promo Reel (5 min), which is like an extended trailer, and Stills Gallery On the tech side, this is a 1080p High-Definition Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) with 5.1 Surround DTS-HD Master Audio, and English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

While this is not a comedy, there is definitely some humorous lines here and there, mostly spouted by Shepis, who has a natural comedic talent that is often overlooked (also, the role was written specifically for her). The acting overall is quite decent, though Shepis is more of a natural talent and excels in this regard, and please note that I am not just saying that because I am a fan. It is why I am a fan. Same is true with some of the better Scream Queens, like Debbie Rochon. There are also a couple of really nice cameos by Robert Donovan (who was also in The Black Room and Night of the Tommyknockers), and especially THE Richard Moll, who is almost unrecognizable, even with the height.

As for my guesses, they were both right and wrong. There was an element to the story that I was not expecting, which not only was a wonderful surprise, but tied everything up nicely.

IMDB listing HERE