Night Warning

Night Warning, released in 1981, is a horror-thriller directed by William Asher and stars Jimmy McNichol, Susan Tyrrell, and Bo Svenson in lead roles. The plot of the movie revolves around Billy Lynch (played by Jimmy McNichol), a high school basketball player who lives with his aunt, Cheryl Roberts (played by Susan Tyrrell), after his parents die in a car accident. Cheryl is overly protective of Billy and becomes increasingly possessive and jealous as he becomes more independent.

One day, after Billy's girlfriend, Julie (played by Julia Duffy), spends the night, Cheryl walks in on them in bed together. This angers Cheryl, who soon develops an irrational hatred for Julie and becomes even more psychotic than before. To make matters worse, she also starts to develop an unhealthy and sexual attraction towards Billy, which makes him very uncomfortable.

As the story progresses, Cheryl's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, and she starts to display violent tendencies. She even goes so far as to murder people who she perceives as threats to her relationship with Billy. When the police start to investigate the murders, she becomes even more paranoid and delusional, forcing Billy to try to escape from her clutches.

Night Warning is a dark and suspenseful horror movie that takes a unique approach to the slasher genre by focusing on the psychological aspect of the story, rather than just the violence. The film explores themes of sexuality, possession, and violence, and does so in a way that is both terrifying and thought-provoking.

The movie features some great performances by the lead actors, especially Susan Tyrrell, who plays the role of Cheryl Roberts to perfection. Her portrayal of the character is both creepy and sympathetic, as she manages to capture the essence of a disturbed and lonely woman who just wants to be loved.

Jimmy McNichol also delivers a solid performance as the protagonist, Billy Lynch. He plays the role of a high school athlete well, and viewers can feel his sense of unease as he navigates the increasingly disturbing situation with his aunt.

The cinematography and direction of the film are also noteworthy, with William Asher creating a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The film's pacing is well-done, with just the right amount of tension building up before the climax.

Overall, Night Warning is a suspenseful and chilling horror-thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. It is a film that is not afraid to explore complex themes and is a standout in the slasher film genre for its unique approach. The ending is not predictable, and the movie delivers a solid finale that will leave viewers feeling satisfied.