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Slasher’s Finest: The Top Cops of the Slasher Genre

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Few horror staples are as memorable, quotable or enjoyable as the slasher flick, but for all the love that Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger and Chucky receive (to say nothing of the final girls), we thought it was time the spotlight were trained elsewhere.

Who doesn’t remember the boys in blue who stumbled or shone through some of the best films of the slasher heyday known as the eighties? We sure do, and the moment has arrived to decorate those officers.

As alluded to, this list will focus on the sweet, nostalgic decade of the eighties, but we may have slipped a later entry into the mix for good measure. And while Halloween is well represented, we stuck with the original Haddonfield storyline, which translates to zero chance for a second Brad Dourif-related entry if you know what we mean, and we’re sure that you do.

With all that said, what follows is iHorror’s APB on Slasher’s Finest.

Ron Millkie as Officer Dorf (Friday the 13th, 1980)

It would have been impossible for this list to be complete without the services of Crystal Lake’s original man with a badge, so we got that out of the way straight out the gate. Few have ever dominated two minutes of cinema quite like Ron Millkie did in the flick that started in all for Voorhees lovers everywhere.

The deadpan machismo elicits laughs to this day, so the refusal to “stand for any weirdness” must have absolutely shredded in theatres 36 years ago. Millkie has noted that he based Dorf off of small town cops he’d come into contact with growing up. Officers who weren’t bad guys, only “very taken with (themselves) and in (their) mind, the extent of (their) power.” Millkie even compared it to the security guards who work in his apartment building in New York. “You’d think they were J. Edgar Hoover. They don’t even carry a weapon and they walk around the building like Officer Dorf. I think they need the image to feel that power.”

Now we know where “Sit on it, Tonto” came from.

David Arquette as Dwight “Dewey” Riley (Scream, 1996)

While we focused on the eighties, there was no way we could ignore the exploits of Deputy Dewey from Wes Craven’s Scream. From strategic discussions with the sheriff, ice cream cone in hand to pining for Gale Weathers, few “oozed with inexperience” or filled a room with a “Barney Fife-ish presence” quite like Arquette.

He took his lumps despite the best of intentions, but could you really blame him? Dewey’s commander may have called himself Sheriff Burke, but in our collective heart, we know he was actually A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Sergeant Parker. Yes, the same Joseph Whipp who heard Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) screaming and pleading for help through three windows (two of which were busted open to do so) before finally wondering “Maybe I oughtta tell the lieutenant.”

DeweyDavid Kagen as Sheriff Garris & Vinny Guastaferro as Deputy Rick Cologne (Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI, 1986)

There was no intent to bash on the officers who patrol the backyard of Jason Voorhees, but that’s just how this one went. While it’s true that there were elements of humor to the performances of Kagen and Guastaferro, Kagen’s tone veered to the seriousness you’d expect from the man in charge toward the conclusion of the film, particularly when his daughter was in danger, and Kagen pulled it off. Of course, Kagen is an instructor at the David Kagen School of Acting  where he has worked with the likes of Robin Wright and Alec Baldwin, so he’s not lacking for cinematic chops.

That said, the fact that the pair seemed incapable of delivering lines that weren’t laced with cheese, or what’s more, without using over-the-top, macho slang for everything they did secured their spot on the list.

Rather than saying “Lock him up!” or “Hit the lights,” Kagen’s Garris dropped “Iron this punk!” and “Hit the noise and the cherries!” As Robert Duvall’s Harry Hogg said in Days of Thunder, “You kinda automatically have to love that guy.”

To say nothing of Guastaferro’s deputy, whose childlike eagerness to play with his new toy gave us one of the best lines of Friday lore — “Wherever the red dot goes…”

CologneChris Sarandon as Mike Norris (Child’s Play, 1988)

A good cop is willing to serve and protect whether their shift is up or not, and Sarandon’s Norris epitomized that maxim. He had chased down Charles Lee Ray and though found what Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) was telling him about her son Andy and a little doll that functioned sans batteries absurd, he looked into it.

As one would expect, it took a bit of convincing, but once Norris had heard and seen enough for himself, he was all-in and saw things through to the end.

“You believe me now?”

NorrisCharles Cyphers as Sheriff Leigh Brackett (John Carpenter’s Halloween, 1978)

One thing most horror fans can agree upon is that Cyphers should have had more scenes in ’78. While he came back in the sequel, after viewing his daughter’s body and damning Dr. Loomis, he just vanished. And that was a shame. Cyphers played the small town cop to perfection. Calm and composed, better at his job than you’d expect from an officer who didn’t get a lot of action, but also reluctant to jump at wild theories.

‘Doctor, do you know what Haddonfield is? Families. All lined up in rows. You’re telling me they’re lined up for a slaughterhouse.” While he had his doubts, he did his job and kept watch, but despite his reservations and declaration of tiring at Loomis’ orders, he didn’t hesitate to jump when told to go around back.

“It’s Halloween. I guess everyone’s entitled to one good scare.”

BrackettBeau Starr as Sheriff Ben Meeker (Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, (1988)

Having recently watched Halloween 4 from start to finish for the first time in years, I couldn’t help but notice that it was much better than I’d remembered (but that’s another post for another time). What stood out to me most, was that for as much as I love Cyphers — and I do — I’d be lying if I said that Starr’s turn as Bracektt’s replacement, Sheriff Meeker, wasn’t the better performance.

By the third film in the Michael Myers saga, things could have gotten out of hand fast. Of course, we all know that was exactly the case following Return, but Starr was perfect pitch with regard to Haddonfield’s lead constable. Starr played it straight and never went too far with fear, concern or outbursts, for which he had ample opportunity. Whether having conversations about the reality of Myers’ threat to commanding his men as well as community members, Starr was composed and authentic. Hell, he even managed to threaten the blueberry schnapps-luging Grueller off of groping his daughter with ease, For all these reasons, plus the added benefit of additional screen time to seduce us with his wares, Starr takes the silver and outranks Cyphers.

MeekerJohn Saxon as Lt. Donald Thompson (A Nightmare on Elm Street, 1984)

Of all the talent that preceded the top pick, not even Starr was as believable as an officer of the law as Saxon, the man who called the shots in Craven’s early ’80s classic.

The glare, no-nonsense demeanor and virtual absence of emotion in nearly every situation just screamed cop, and Saxon commanded every scene for which he appeared.

“There’s an unsolved murder. I don’t like unsolved murders.’

Though it was pretty clear that Thompson’s daughter Nancy was his Achilles’ heel, one has to ask whether a cop would use his own daughter as bait to catch a suspect? While we’d like to say no, events of the recent past make that more difficult to answer with any degree of certainty, but that’s how committed the character was to getting the job done.

Just accept that Saxon is the top cop “Real easy. Like your ass depended on it.’

SaxonThanks to Chris Fischer for the featured image.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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