Midnight (2020)

**_Hammy redo of John Russo’s cult slasher from the early ’80s_**

A 17 years-old girl from western Pennsylvania intends to run away to Virginia. A friendly couple picks her up whereupon they run afoul of a weirdo cult in the sticks.

"Midnight" (2020) was written by the screenwriter of the hallowed "Night of the Living Dead,” based on his book, and a faithful remake of his micro-budget flick from the early ’80s. Russo enlisted a director this time out rather than helm it himself, which happens to be the guy who plays the stepfather, Gary Lee Vincent. Meanwhile Russo plays the Catholic minister.

The original version cost only $70,000 whereas this one cost $300,000, which is about the same amount if you factor in inflation. In both cases, the movie’s a riff on "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” just nowhere near as effective due to the limited resources. For instance, some of the actors are dubious and there’s a lot of hammy acting, particularly the cultists.

But, if you don't mind micro-budget deficiencies, there are things to appreciate. For one thing, it’s genuinely amusing and intentionally so (I busted out laughing several times during viewing). Also, Brennan Bobish is superior to Melanie Verlin as the protagonist, Nancy. Her long hair is awe-inspiring. On that note, there are cameos by two stunning redheads, Carolyn Jerz as Patty and Gretchen Settle as Wendy.

Underneath the creepy, often goofy adventure there's an interesting theme: We live in a fallen world full of broken families, addictions, abuse, lecherous males, unjust hostilities, crime, religious sectarians and deviant groups. Both the cultists and the protagonist find succor in questionable religious beliefs, but the goat-suckers choose a destructive belief system whereas Nancy opts for a flawed-but-generally-healthy theology that enables her to face the unexpected challenges of life and overcome.

So, is this any better than the original version? Not really. It’s the same story with the same spare-change budget production values. But this one kept my interest more simply due to winsome Brennan Bobish, plus it’s funnier and, I suppose, the effects/gore are better. Everything else is roughly on par, just separated by almost four decades.

For a better horror flick written by Russo, check out the slasher "The Majorettes" from the mid-’80s, which is still micro-budget but all-around entertaining if you give it a chance.

The movie runs 1 hour, 25 minutes, and was shot in Fairmont and Bridgeport, West Virginia, which are just south of the southwest border of Pennsylvania (about 20-35 miles respectively).

GRADE: C-/C (4.5/10)