Nightbreed - There's a good film in there (somewhere)

Have you ever watched a film that you love… and yet, deep down, you know that it's very flawed?  Well, that sums up 'Nightbreed' for me.  I found out about it after playing the computer game tie-in on the Amiga and fell in love with its concept straight away.  A troubled young (Aaron Boone) man is seeing a psychiatrist because he's haunted by visions of a strange place filled with monsters and he feels he belongs there.  However, before he can finish his treatment, he's framed for murder.  What he doesn't know is that the man treating him has other motivations than a mere 'doctor/patient' relationship - he's played by none other than David Cronenberg and he's the killer responsible for the grisly murders and he's going to set Boone up for his crimes.

So, rather than spend the rest of his life in prison, Boone goes on the run and finds himself in the place of his dreams - Midian.  This is where the monsters who have rejected the 'naturals' life and live underground beneath a deserted cemetery.  But, despite Midian being a refuge for monsters, Boone doesn't live happily ever after there as not only his girlfriend track him down, but also his insane doctor.

What I loved about 'Nightbreed' was this story - the way the monsters aren't actually the bad guys (despite they're pretty hideous make-up!).  They're just minding their own business, happy to not be part of the human 'natural' race.  Then along comes Boone who brings with him a while heap of trouble.  David Cronenberg is definitely the bad guy and is so creepy as the masked killer that I'm surprised that he's not done that much acting since.  As I already mentioned, the make-up and Midian's sets are fantastic.  The monsters are really some of the most creatively designed ever - special nod to 'Pelequin' who is by far the most memorable character.

So, it is definitely a visual treat to watch.  But that doesn't mean I'd recommend it to everyone.  Despite how much I enjoy it, I can see others not doing so, for it has many faults.  First of all is the lead actor.  Sorry to say that he's just not that charismatic.  The true stars are the monsters and David Cronenberg.  Plus the story is a bit all over the place.  It speeds up and slows down seemingly at random and has long periods of what might be described as 'filler.' It doesn't really know what it wants to be, or at least say.  It's definitely a horror, but never quite feels like it can commit to the genre.  Plus, as much as I like Clive Barker's writing ('Nightbreed' was based on his novel 'Cabal') I have to say that a lot of these problems seem to be down to his directing (perhaps he should have let David Cronenberg direct as well as star?).

I showed 'Nigfhtbreed' to someone recently and they loved it.  Or rather they loved the first half, then they started tuning out when the story kind of lost its way.  But, like I say, I loved it for its sheer concept rather than finished product.  There are various 'director's cuts' of the movie.  Some work better than others.  The longest really doing its best to flesh out the characters.  I hear it's in the pipeline to be remade for TV.  I have to say this is one remake I'm actually looking forward to, as the source material is definitely there for something special to be made out of it.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one