Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (aka Night Warning) (1981)

Director: William Asher

Starring: Jimmy McNichol, Susan Tyrrell, Bo Svenson

An orphaned teenager finds himself being dominated by his aunt who’s hell-bent on keeping him with her…at all costs.

After an impressive opening scene, the film jumps ahead 14 years. Billy (Jimmy McNichol), whose parents died violently in a car crash when he was just 3 years old, is being raised by his Aunt Cheryl (Susan Tyrrell). When he turns 17 with the chance of getting a scholarship, Cheryl gets upset at the thought of him leaving, and forbids him.

Cheryl is obsessive and controlling over Billy, and from the very beginning it is clear there’s more than meets the eye. Cheryl’s behaviour is almost psychotic, and this is proven soon enough. When a TV repairman, Phil Brody, comes around to fix her TV set, she wants to have sex with him. When he refuses, she kills him, and then tells Billy and the police he tried to rape her. Only, it turns out Phil was a homosexual, and in relationship with Billy’s coach, Tom Landers (Steve Eastin).

And this is only just the beginning of a well scripted film that delivers surprise upon surprise. As Detective Joe Carlson (Bo Svenson) try to unravel the case, more evidence surface complicating the case. I thought Bo Svenson was excellent as Detective Carlson. Susan Tyrrell was also incredible as Cheryl.

‘Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker’ was yet another good 80’s find. This film got more interesting by the minute and delivered so many twists. I was glued to the screen, and on the edge of my seat. Hold on tight; it’s a thrill ride to the bloody finale!!

Would I watch it again? Yes.