Terror in the Night (1994 TV Movie) User Reviews (5)

Definitely not an advertisement for camping in the middle of nowhere.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 12 June 2023]

This was certainly a lot better than I expected, and if it's not a great film, it served its purpose of keeping my attention. Matt Mulhern and Justine Batemen have found that into woods is not where they ought to go, arrested in the middle of the night by supposed lawman Joe Penny. He's actually a psychopathic killer with a possessive girlfriend (Valerie Landsburg) who thinks, after Mulhern manages to make his escape, that Penny and Bateman are having an affair. But the truth is much worse, showing that creepy crawleys in the woods aren't always the eight legged kind.

I was surprised to see Landsburg (Doris, "Fame"), and delighted by her wonderful dramatic performance. She creates a memorable characterization, far from one dimensional, and winning sympathy even though her character is rather neurotic for desperately hanging on Penny while trying to raise two children from a previous relationship. He is excellent too, adding a lot of dimension to what could have been a cliched interpretation of a dangerous nutcase. In comparison, Bateman and Mulhern are dull even though they are the ones who should be getting the sympathy. This wouldn't get any awards for writing or direction, but Penny and Landsburg are being added to my list of best supporting actors of this year.

Fine film that makes the most of its casting.

[dwighthobbes7 · 10/10 · 16 May 2004]

Joe Penny as, of all things, a bad guy. Who'da thunk this actor, generally type cast as a dashing do-gooder, could be so frightening his shadow would be scared to follow him around. Valerie Landsburg doing something besides comedy. This gifted actor best known for delivering straight lines opposite broad, comical characters, shows strong dramatic chops as the woman who, against her own best judgement has no more self- esteem than to trail along behind a maniac with her two kids in tow. A tight script, not a single wasted word of dialogue. Plot develops and moves along well, keeps you constantly wondering what's gonna happen next. Suspenseful director. TV films don't get much better than this fine offering.

This IS terrible.

[llihilloh · 20 January 2001]

I usually enjoy TV movies but there is no reason why this movie should have ever been made. When I say something like this, it can only mean that it is terrible.

The plot might have been good if it would have included some acting. Not to mention that it would have even been better if the movie was cut in half. Bateman's character becomes useless and irritating during the second part of the film. It's the same old story: she can't escape the kidnapping. I can't even remember who played who, so I'm just going to use the character descriptions. Robin's boyfriend is okay. His acting is decent, but the character really has no purpose. Of course he is needed because the beginning starts out as a camping trip for the couple. But once Robin is kidnapped, the character slowly fades away and he has no effect on the story. The kidnapper, ol' what's-his-name, is the worst kidnapper I have ever seen on a film. He conveniently leaves Robin alone numerous times, brings his wife or fiance and her kids along for the ride, and makes the dumbest requests. The police called in are played terribly and everyone else involved make this film awful.

This movie would never end! It went on and on and nothing happened. Robin couldn't seem to be saved and that's what it was focused on. It was pretty boring watching the helpless camper fight for her life with a kidnapper she could have easily beat up.

The writing was once again, dumb. Like I said, the kidnapper is made to look like a fool mainly by what he says. The rest of the cast doesn't improve this either. The more I think about it, there wasn't a whole lot of writing period. Mostly useless actions taking up mine and everyone else's time.

This is one of the worst TV movies ever made. While Lifetime is pretty popular for showing good movies, this one was definitely a let down. There was no use in making this.

Scary Movie That Keeps You Guessing

[jkess123 · 10/10 · 26 January 2014]

It was great to see Joe Penny in a different role as a bad guy who kidnaps a couple who are on their camping trip. Joe's character is scary and threatens the girl he kidnaps. He takes her along with his girlfriend and her kids, they are always on the run even more so now that there is a kidnap victim. The boyfriend tries to assist the police in finding his girlfriend and you feel his frustration when it seems they suspect his as the one who did something to her. Joe does great as the sort of guy who promises his girl that things will be better, they will get a house, etc. But as the story progress you feel he just cannot make these things happen. Great storyline for Joe Penny, a different but interesting role.

A decent Movie as far at Made for TV movies are concerned

[jameswilliams784 · 8/10 · 11 November 2011]

I actually liked this movie. I think knowing that it is based on a true story and knowing the story helps me in understanding the movie a bit more. Anytime you make a made for TV movie about a true story you always seem to have trouble. Some of the things that actually happened to this women were just too violent to put on network TV. This would have been much better if it had been made on one of the cable networks were they have a bit more leeway in what they can do.

If you watch this movie without knowing the actual True Story then I think you will come away from this movie disappointed. It is long and really needs to be but the movie did not do justice to the real story. I am a Justine Bateman fan and I thought she did OK in this movie. It certainly was not an award winning performance but it was fine. I was very disappointed in the acting of the protagonist in this movie. I never got the feel of evil that I did when reading the true story. Overall I liked this movie, but would really recommend that you read about the real story. Readers Digest had this story in one of its issues.