Mind Games
To save their marriage, Rita and Dana Lund set off on a family camping trip through California. At a campsite they meet a hitch-hiker, Eric, who befriends their son. Against Rita's wishes, Dana takes asks him to tag along with them, not knowing that he's a brutal psychopath.
Why it matters
A tense late-80s psychological thriller that blends domestic dread with slasher brutality, capturing the era’s uneasy mix of family drama and lurking menace.
- A rare gem where marital strain and survival horror collide, offering more than just kill counts.
- Eric’s chilling unpredictability taps into that classic ‘friendly stranger turned nightmare’ trope with nasty practical effects.
- Perfect for fans of minimalist, character-driven terror rather than gore-for-gore’s-sake bloodbaths.
- Not polished by today’s standards, but its raw, unvarnished approach gives it a cult appeal for late-80s slasher aficionados.
Director
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
0
Slow Burn
17
Psychological
57
Supernatural
0
Creature
0
Disturbing
50
Fun Factor
33
Cerebral
0
Survival
50
Manipulation
