Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- foreboding
- lurid
- halloween night
- late night horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film competently directed and intermittently effective but limited by a formulaic plot, predictable shocks, and uneven acting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The four pledges spend the night inside the deserted, sprawling Garth Manor, making its rooms and hidden spaces central to the suspense.
Fraternity and sorority pledges are forced to endure a night at the manor, while the story frames their privilege against the working-class Marti.
The twelve-year-old story of Garth murdering his family and rumors that one member survived drive the film's central mystery.
The film relocates early 1980s slasher conventions into a large California mansion with gothic architecture and a legendary killer.
Films like Hell Night, and why
Friday the 13th
early 1980s slasher mechanics, youthful victims, and a confined threat-driven setting
The Funhouse
teen slasher suspense, an enclosed attraction-like location, and exploitation-horror atmosphere
The Prowler
masked or monstrous killer conventions, college-age characters, and gothic suspense
House of the Devil
stylized haunted-house horror, trapped young people, and a lurking supernatural or monstrous menace
Movie Details
- Director
- Tom DeSimone
- Release Date
- 1981-08-28
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (202)
Cast
- Linda Blair
- Vincent Van Patten
- Peter Barton
- Suki Goodwin
- Kevin Brophy
- Jenny Neumann
- Jimmy Sturtevant
- Hal Ralston
- Carey Fox
- Ron Gans
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, YouTube TV, Shudder, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Midnight Pulp, Shudder Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hell Night about?
- Four college pledges confront a murderous family legend during a terrifying initiation night inside an abandoned gothic mansion.
- What is Hell Night like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hell Night as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Hell Night violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Hell Night as moderate.
- What did critics think of Hell Night?
- Critics broadly found the film competently directed and intermittently effective but limited by a formulaic plot, predictable shocks, and uneven acting.
- Which films are like Hell Night?
- Films with a similar feel include Friday the 13th, The Funhouse, The Prowler, and House of the Devil.
- How long is Hell Night?
- Hell Night runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hell Night?
- In United States, Hell Night streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, YouTube TV, Shudder, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Midnight Pulp, Shudder Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
