Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Night Visitor Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 17, 2022

1989’s “Night Visitor” attempts to merge the high jinks of teen cinema with Alfred Hitchcock-style ideas for suspense. It’s not the best mix of moods, but that’s not going to stop director Rupert Hitzig, who’s interested in creating a thrill ride with the endeavor, only he’s missing some crucial components necessary to launch a truly gripping viewing experience. “Night Visitor” offers sexploitation without sex and horror without frights, emerging as a PG-13-style take on hard R-rated events, always pulling punches in a weird quest to remain approachable to a wide audience. It’s a misguided film and also a questionably scripted one by Randal Viscovich, who punctures the tires of the movie too soon, trying to be cheeky with his identification of evil, only to have the whole effort lose tension immediately.

Billy (Derek Rydall) is a teen with some behavioral issues, always telling lies to get out of trouble with the authority figures in his life. He’s a thorn in the side of Mr. Willard (Allen Garfield), Billy’s history teacher and a high-strung man trying to maintain order in his classroom and in his life, living with his brother, Stanley (Michael J. Pollard). Billy’s whole world opens up when Lisa (Shannon Tweed) moves in next door, with the neighbor flirtatious with the adolescent, sending his hormones racing once he realizes he can watch her bedroom activities from his own room. Learning that Lisa is an escort, Billy hopes to acquire some photographic evidence of her business dealings, only to encounter a murderer slaughtering the woman in the name of Satan. Billy is questioned by Captain Crane (Richard Roundtree), who has trouble believing his story, while his girlfriend, Kelly (Teresa Vander Woulde), also struggles to support the kid. As Billy’s options run out, the killer takes additional lives, inspiring him to turn to ex-cop Ron (Elliot Gould) for help with detective work.

There’s the question of Billy, who’s the lead character of “Night Visitor,” but not an especially likeable guy. He’s quick to lie and he’s not a terribly good friend to others, and perhaps this makes him an average teenager, but he’s not the most compelling focal point for the film. He’s something out of “Porky’s,” while the movie itself establishes all sorts of happenings with sexuality, including the killer’s focus on kidnapping prostitutes (including Teri Weigel) and the introduction of Lisa, who’s intensely flirtatious with Billy, even enjoying his voyeuristic adventures with a telescope in his bedroom. And yet, “Night Visitor” is weirdly chaste, going against trends of the ‘80s by keeping clothes on, while violent events aren’t all that graphic, despite the brutalizer mentality of the murderer.

As for the killer, “Night Visitor” makes a critical error by revealing his identity at the end of the first act. Whatever suspense was present before immediately disappears, with the rest of the picture highlighting Billy’s quest to be believed by others, leading to an arrest. The “boy who cried wolf” concept is understood, but it doesn’t translate to riveting cinema, though some help is provided by Gould, who tries to bring something in what amounts to be an extended cameo as Ron, the reluctant detective.

Night Visitor Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "Brand new 2019 HD Master." Detail struggles with slack encoding, leading to softeness and subtle blockiness throughout the viewing experience. Colors have been refreshed, with primaries appreciable, working with California locations and period clothing. Skin tones are natural with some hotter tones at times. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in decent condition, with some brief blotches.

Night Visitor Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix works with a production that wasn't terribly strong when it came to capturing sound. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible, but equipment limitations are obvious. Scoring delivers decent instrumentation and mood, adding some choral parts for Satanic shenanigans. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable.

Night Visitor Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Packaging lists "Reversible Artwork," but that isn't included.

• Interview (17:16, SD) is a discussion of "Night Visitor" with screenwriter Randall Viscovich, who began his career in television, questing to create a horror film to help with his jump to movies, looking for a subject outside of the genre norm. Casting is explored, with Viscovich recalling near-misses with his top two choices, Chuck Conners and Jack Palance, ending up with Allen Garfield instead due to tight scheduling requirements. Garfield proved to be interested in the story and willing to work on character idiosyncrasies, impressing Viscovich. The interviewee provides brief memories of Shannon Tweed, Elliot Gould, and Richard Roundtree, and offers an assessment of director Rupert Hitzig. Deleted scenes, including a different ending, are detailed, and additional footage created without the writer is identified.

• Interview (13:40, SD) is a chat with editor Glenn Erickson, who shares his love of moviegoing, developing his future interests in filmmaking. Meeting producer Alain Silver, Erickson was offered an editing position on "Night Visitor," tasked with working on videotape. The interviewee shares memories of being visited in the editing room by the main actors, who wanted to study their performances, and he explores how the picture was cut down to avoid graphic content, despite the script including an enormous amount of violence. Unhappy with the original title, "The Boy Who Knew Too Much," Erickson suggested the production use "Never Cry Devil" instead, with Silver happy with the change. However, the new title didn't stick, but Erickson remains proud of his work on the feature, which has developed a cult audience.

• Interview (10:50, SD) sits down with director Rupert Hitzig, who was offered a chance to be part of "Night Visitor," already friends with writer Randal Viscovich. Hoping to speed the shoot along, the helmer elected to work extensively with a Steadicam, trying to use such fluid motion to help with suspense needs as well. Casting is highlighted, offering approval of Elliot Gould, Richard Roundtree, Allen Garfield, Shannon Tweed, and Teri Weigel. Locations are analyzed and intent is debated, with viewers missing the campy tone Hitzig was aiming for. Describing the movie as a "cult classic," Hitzig remains happy with the endeavor, managing to complete it quickly, delighted there's still a fanbase for it.

• And a Trailer (1:50, HD) is included.

Night Visitor Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Maybe there's a cat-and-mouse game to be found in "Night Visitor," but there's an endurance test for viewers tracking Billy's mission of credibility, and there's a whole lot of Pollard here, which is a major "your mileage may vary" element of the feature. With the mystery spoiled early and the characters either unpleasant or just dimwits, there's not much here to dig into, with "Night Visitor" teasing comedic moments during its showdown conclusion, and going full camp with its final minutes, which turn the endeavor into a music video. It's all very odd, but not much fun, especially when the potential for satanic panic and general exploitation nonsense is not met.