Sleepwalkers (1992) #463

 

"Sleepwalkers" is an often overlooked and forgotten horror film from the early 1990's, directed by Mick Garris and a written by Stephen King. This was in fact the first time Mr. King wrote an original script for a full length film that wasn't adapted from one of his of his own stories. The story revolves around the last two survivors of a vampiric species of shape shifters that can only survive on the blood of virgins. The movie itself has it's strengths and weaknesses but is still a pretty fair movie for the time.

Alice Krige ("Gretel & Hansel") and Brian Krause star as Mary Brady and her son Charles, two shape shifters that feed on the psychic essence of human female virgins. Their powers include strength and the ability to turn themselves as well as their car invisible. They can change the appearance of the car as well. They differ from standard vampires in most aspects; the sun doesn't hurt them being the first and foremost. The odd thing about these two, and perhaps one the more problematic aspects of this film is their incestral relationship between mother and son. This is how the two are able to pass the psychic energy that Charles consumes from his victims. It's awkward and unsettling to say the least. 

The Brady's intended victim is Tanya Robertson, played by Madchen Amick, who was best known at the time for her work on "Twin Peaks". She is a delight to watch and is one of the bright spots in the film, coming across as a genuine teenager (although she wasn't anymore). Her emotions as a girl with a new crush to being the final girl come across sincerely. 

My favorite, as well as many others I bet, thing about this movie is how it is packed with cameos of several masters of horror that include Stephen King, Clive Barker, Tobe Hooper, John Landis, and Joe Dante. I'm pretty sure this was how Mick Garris was able to forge the foundations for his series Masters of Horror, which would showcase work from three of the four artists. Mark Hamill and Ron Perlman as have small roles as well, both in law enforcement. 

Besides the cameos, I love the shape shifters unique weakness which is a mortal fear of cats. It seems that cats are their natural enemies and gather in large numbers wherever the Brady's live. When they get close enough, the cats would pounce and attack Charles and Mary. I love when cats are used in movies and are more than just a jump scare....which they are really good at.