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Bad Dreams

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jennifer Rubin in Bad Dreams (1988)
Trailer for Bad Dreams
Play trailer1:50
1 Video
82 Photos
  • Horror
  • Thriller
The lone survivor of a suicide cult wakes from a thirteen-year coma in a psychiatric ward, where other patients suddenly start dying under mysterious and gruesome circumstances.The lone survivor of a suicide cult wakes from a thirteen-year coma in a psychiatric ward, where other patients suddenly start dying under mysterious and gruesome circumstances.The lone survivor of a suicide cult wakes from a thirteen-year coma in a psychiatric ward, where other patients suddenly start dying under mysterious and gruesome circumstances.
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Andrew Fleming
  • Writers
    • Andrew Fleming(story)
    • Michael Dick(story)
    • P.J. Pettiette(story)
  • Stars
    • Jennifer Rubin
    • Bruce Abbott
    • Richard Lynch
Top credits
  • Director
    • Andrew Fleming
  • Writers
    • Andrew Fleming(story)
    • Michael Dick(story)
    • P.J. Pettiette(story)
  • Stars
    • Jennifer Rubin
    • Bruce Abbott
    • Richard Lynch
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 66User reviews
    • 59Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Bad Dreams
    Trailer 1:50
    Bad Dreams

    Photos82

    Jennifer Rubin in Bad Dreams (1988)
    Jennifer Rubin in Bad Dreams (1988)
    Jennifer Rubin in Bad Dreams (1988)
    Jennifer Rubin in Bad Dreams (1988)
    Bruce Abbott in Bad Dreams (1988)
    Jennifer Rubin in Bad Dreams (1988)
    Richard Lynch in Bad Dreams (1988)
    Bad Dreams (1988)
    Dean Cameron in Bad Dreams (1988)
    Bad Dreams (1988)
    Bad Dreams (1988)
    Bad Dreams (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jennifer Rubin
    Jennifer Rubin
    • Cynthiaas Cynthia
    Bruce Abbott
    Bruce Abbott
    • Dr. Alex Karmenas Dr. Alex Karmen
    Richard Lynch
    Richard Lynch
    • Harrisas Harris
    Dean Cameron
    Dean Cameron
    • Ralphas Ralph
    Harris Yulin
    Harris Yulin
    • Dr. Berrisfordas Dr. Berrisford
    Susan Barnes
    • Connieas Connie
    John Scott Clough
    • Victoras Victor
    Elizabeth Daily
    Elizabeth Daily
    • Lanaas Lana
    • (as E.G. Daily)
    Damita Jo Freeman
    • Gildaas Gilda
    Louis Giambalvo
    Louis Giambalvo
    • Edas Ed
    Susan Ruttan
    Susan Ruttan
    • Miriamas Miriam
    Sy Richardson
    Sy Richardson
    • Detective Wassermanas Detective Wasserman
    Melissa Francis
    • Young Cynthiaas Young Cynthia
    • (as Missy Francis)
    Sheila Scott Wilkinson
    • Hettieas Hettie
    Ben Kronen
    • Edgaras Edgar
    Jon Menick
    • Night Guard Anthonyas Night Guard Anthony
    Charles Fleischer
    Charles Fleischer
    • Ron the Pharmacistas Ron the Pharmacist
    Brian Katkin
    • Physical Therapistas Physical Therapist
    • Director
      • Andrew Fleming
    • Writers
      • Andrew Fleming(story) (screenplay)
      • Michael Dick(story)
      • P.J. Pettiette(story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Andrew Fleming said on the Blu-Ray audio commentary that he fought a losing battle to feature rock band X's "Burning House of Love" on the closing credits. An studio executive named Ralph Saul fought against Fleming and insisted on Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O'Mine," which later became a hit. The band had originally planned to make a music video which featured clips from the film.
    • Goofs
      When Harris is seen burned sitting at the chair next to the window , area around his eyes still has normal skin, possibly because it was too uncomfortable or not possible to put makeup there.
    • Quotes

      Ralph: [breaks a coffee pot over his guard's head] Do you want cream or sugar with that?

    • Alternate versions
      The 18-rated UK video release of this film was cut by 22 seconds by the BBFC to remove closeup shots of self-mutilation with a knife and a scalpel, and to reduce a scene where a man is repeatedly hit by a car. The cuts were waived by the BBFC in 2018 for DVD/Blu-ray.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Colors/18 Again!/Above the Law/Bad Dreams (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Sweet Child O' Mine
      Written by Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler

      Performed by Guns N' Roses

      Published by Guns N' Roses Music

      Courtesy of Geffen Records by arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews66

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    No sweet dreams.
    I'm kind of caught here. I somewhat liked it, but came away rather under-whelmed because it was all too familiar and there was something more interesting within this strange horror/thriller premise than what was chalked up. Even with some creative cracks, it should've been better. The story's direction seems a little uneven if it wants to go out to shock (a good amount of blood splatter is spilt), or play its cards for psychological torment. Something about it never entirely fulfils. The performances are the main reason this one doesn't slip off the mind too quick. The beautiful Jennifer Rubin is exceptional in brining out a vulnerable side, which is counter-punched by determination. Alongside her are a very good Bruce Abbott and a towering Richard Lynch brings an uneasy subtly to his menacing character. Harris Yulin, Sy Richardson, Susan Ruttan and an amusingly batty Dean Cameron chip in with durable support. Andrew Fleming's leisured direction is stylish, but has that breakable quality to it. Good use of lighting, colouring and composition in pockets drips of atmosphere. The material is enjoyable (if minimal), as the protagonist tries to overcome the hallucinations that might be because of her unstable state of mind or the simple reality of being haunted by a restless spirit. There's some black humour evident, but the by-the-numbers script goes about things rather seriously. As well it has a fine and compelling soundtrack to boot. The special effects and make-up FX stands-up well enough. A decent little film.
    helpful•4
    1
    • lost-in-limbo
    • Sep 12, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 8, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Vision der Dunkelheit
    • Production company
      • No Frills Film Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $9,797,098
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,008,870
      • Apr 10, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,797,098
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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