Fade to Black poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Dennis Christopher, Linda Kerridge, Tim Thomerson, Morgan Paull, Hennen Chambers ... see more see more... , Eve Brent Ashe , Bob Drew , Gwynne Gilford , John Steadman , Mickey Rourke , Melinda O. Fee , Jane Wiley , Peter Horton , Norman Burton , James Luisi , Anita Converse , Marcie Barkin , Gilbert Lawrence Kahn , Sharon Schlarth , Marya Small , Bruce Reed , Teddi Siddall , Marilyn Staley , Normann Burton

An interesting, introspective variant on the '80s slasher formula, this low-key psychological thriller details the troubled life of obsessed movie junkie Eric Binford (Dennis Christopher), whose love ... read more read more...of old movies extends far beyond his job at a film distributor's warehouse and endless late-night film screenings in his bedroom. His singular obsession eventually rounds the bend into psychosis after he crosses paths with a Marilyn Monroe look-alike (Linda Kerridge), who becomes the physical embodiment of his cinematic desires. When stood up on what he believed would be their first date, Eric becomes homicidally unbalanced, transforming himself into a gallery of classic movie characters -- including Dracula, The Mummy, Hopalong Cassidy, and Norman Bates -- and sets out to destroy his oppressors, starting with his crotchety wheelchair-bound Aunt Stella (Eve Brent Ashe), then targeting a boorish co-worker (a very young Mickey Rourke), and eventually working his way toward Kerridge. The film begins with a groovy concept, but loses something in the execution -- the horror and comedy elements fail to gel completely, and Christopher's performance is too creepy to generate much empathy. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Flixster Users

49% liked it

874 ratings

Critics

45% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Vernon Zimmerman

Release Date: October 14, 1980

Invite friends to see

Stats: 61 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Fade to Black Fade to Black
Upload a Photo | View All Fade to Black Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (61)

  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 10, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A sad and disturbing movie, about the humiliation and self-destruction of a young man; his only love was for the movies. It's creepy when he dresses up like many of his movie idols and commits murder. I liked the old-Hollywood flavor of the settings and characters.

View All Fade to Black Reviews

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum
February 23, 2008
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Interesting premise and execution with various Hollywood icons depicted.

Gregory Weinkauf
January 21, 2004
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times

Excellent cheese, and Christopher is superb.

Bob Bloom
October 17, 2003
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A film that gives movie buffs a bad name.

John A. Nesbit
May 27, 2003
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

for film geeks that get the many references and can relate to Binford's lonely lifestyle Full Review

Ken Hanke
October 22, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Interesting idea, lame execution

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

So-so slasher thriller with a clever movie geek twist.

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
October 3, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Thomas Delapa
December 10, 2004
Thomas Delapa, Boulder Weekly

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Hell Night
    Hell Night (0%)
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street
    A Nightmare on Elm Street (0%)
  • Maniac!
    Maniac! (100%)
  • Friday the 13th, Part VI - Jason Lives
    Friday the 13th, Part VI - Jason Lives (100%)

More Movies like Fade to Black

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Fade to Black : Watch Free on TV

Fade to Black Trivia

  • Which Actress starred in Dreamgirls, The Pink Panther, Fade To Black, The Fighting Temptations, and Austin Powers in Goldmember?  Answer »
  • Which movie was about Orson Welles in Rome in 1948.  Answer »
  • Christopher Walken is in the film 'Fade to Black' (2006).  Answer »
More Fade to Black Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Fade to Black. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Fade to Black to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?