A college class called Psychology of Fear is taken over by a gun threatening teacher who insists on demonstrating the true meaning of fear; he invites a group of students to his house, where stories are told.
Not to be confused with After Hours (1985) or The Midnight Hour (1985), this modest American horror anthology was written and directed by brothers Jim and Ken Wheat (collaborators on The Fly II and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master). Cinematography is by Phedon Papamichael, with music by Marc Donahue. It features three main stories framed by a wraparound narrative (a fourth "filler" segment), and while it never reaches the heights of Creepshow, Creepshow 2, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie or the later Trick 'r Treat, it remains more entertaining than most of its kind.
The segments include an elaborate haunted-house prank that goes disastrously wrong in "The Old Dark House", starring Munchies and Critters actress Nadine Van der Velde as Joan and Back to the Future actor Marc McClure as Kevin; this is the most atmospheric of the tales.
"A Night on the Town" follows four young women who run into a deranged homeless man and his vicious attack dogs. The memorable female leads are Judie Aronson (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter) as Jennifer, Tracy Wells as Amy, Penelope Sudrow (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors) as Kelly, and Monique Salcido as Lisa. It has a strong urban-nightmare feel and excellent dog work.
In "All Night Operator", Alan Rosenberg is genuinely menacing as Richard, a celebrity stalker who terrorises night-shift operator Alex, played by Marg Helgenberger (CSI). Helgenberger carries the segment with real screen presence; it is tense and grounded.
Bookending the film is "Allison's Story", a jock's vengeance tale with a loop twist. Stand-outs are the intense Professor Edward Derek (Ramy Zada) and Jillian McWhirter as Allison (a pity she did not go on to more high-profile work), alongside famed voice actress Pamela Adlon (credited as Pamela Segall, later of Gate II) as Cheryl.
The 80s nostalgia and on location feel helps sell much of the on screen shenanigans. There are solid stunts throughout, the practical effects and pyrotechnics deserve a mention. Although the special effects are sparse, the film does feature a brief, impressive stop-motion skeleton in the closing act.
Overall it is all good fun, though never particularly scary, which is surprising given the now horror faces involved.
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