Nightmares

Name: Nightmares
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction
Released: 1983-09-02
Duration: 1 h 39 min
Rating: 5.65
Cast: Cristina Raines, Emilio Estevez, Lance Henriksen, Richard Masur, Veronica Cartwright

1983 ·1h 39m · ★ 5.7 (92)

A collection of short stories. In one a woman who leaves her house late at night to drive to the store while a killer is loose encounters some problems. In the second an arcade whiz kid's obsession with a game leads to deadly consequences. In the third a small town priest loses his faith and decides to leave town, but in the desert is stalked by a mysterious black pick-up truck. In the final story, a family's problem with a rat is larger than they think.

Why it matters

Nightmares (1983) delivers a retro anthology steeped in early-80s suburban dread, blending practical effects and low-key tension into four distinct slices of nightmare fuel.

A time capsule of early VHS-era horror with all the grain and grit that implies — perfect for fans of regional, micro-budget chills.
Practical effects and creature work lean into the era’s hands-on aesthetic, especially the unsettling rat menace finale.
The arcade obsession segment taps into ’80s tech paranoia before it was cliché, capturing a proto-digital anxiety.
Moody, atmospheric storytelling with a slow burn vibe — less gore, more creeping dread and existential unease.