Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- disturbing
- grotesque
- darkly comic
- late night horror viewing
- cult movie marathon
What critics said
Critics found the film's movie-obsessed serial-killer premise intriguing and distinctive, though its uneven execution, obvious references, excessive violence, and lead performance divided opinion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Eric Binford models grotesque killings and disguises on characters and incidents from classic films.
Eric lives through silver-screen heroes and villains because ordinary social life repeatedly humiliates and isolates him.
Bullying and betrayal drive Eric's transformation from shy film-supply courier into the Celluloid Killer.
Eric impersonates cinematic figures until his movie fantasies dictate real-world murders.
Films like Fade to Black, and why
Psycho
troubled loner, serial murder, psychological horror, and a socially alienated outsider
Willard
outsider rage, slasher violence, and a psychologically disturbed killer targeting society
Don't Go in the House
exploitation horror, grotesque revenge, and a lonely misfit turned murderer
The Last Horror Film
meta-cinematic crime, obsessive film culture, and stylized movie-inspired violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Vernon Zimmerman
- Release Date
- 1980-10-14
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (96)
Cast
- Dennis Christopher
- Tim Thomerson
- Gwynne Gilford
- Norman Burton
- Linda Kerridge
- Morgan Paull
- James Luisi
- Eve Brent
- John Steadman
- Marcie Barkin
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV channel, Shout! Factory 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 Fade to Black about?
- A bullied Los Angeles film courier turns his obsessive movie fandom into a grotesque blueprint for serial murder.
- What is Fade to Black like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Fade to Black as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Fade to Black violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Fade to Black as graphic.
- What did critics think of Fade to Black?
- Critics found the film's movie-obsessed serial-killer premise intriguing and distinctive, though its uneven execution, obvious references, excessive violence, and lead performance divided opinion.
- Which films are like Fade to Black?
- Films with a similar feel include Psycho, Willard, Don't Go in the House, and The Last Horror Film.
- How long is Fade to Black?
- Fade to Black runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Fade to Black?
- In United States, Fade to Black streams on Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
