The Night Flier (1997)

You've been looking for me all your life.  

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Enjoyable)

Miguel Ferrer (RoboCop) did a good job in this role. Richard Dees is a schmuck tabloid reporter that has an ugly charm to him. He cusses up a storm and cares only about himself. Typical edgy Stephen King protagonist, am I right? Complete with cynical side characters.

Do not follow me anymore, or I will swallow you whole.  

The Night Flier is quite spooky as a movie monster with some nice costume design and makeup, aside from a single jump scare that has poor CGI and a tongue-out gag, dating this low-budget movie to 1997. The dialogue and tension in the bathroom reveal scene flows straight out of King's story (which I haven't read, but would love to) and is atmospherically creepy.

There is a strange attraction to this demon as its victims become entranced. An elderly housewife gets her hair done, knowing she'll be getting a visit from him later that night, as the Night Flier beats her husband to death before sweetly killing her next, a touch of the mystifying appeal of the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera."

You always wanted to know what Hell was like.

Best of all is the black-and-white "Hell" sequence as the "leads" that Dees has used up throughout his career, and how it damns him to a terrible predicament when the police show up as he's covered in blood and wielding an axe.

Never publish what you believe.

It could've been better with some quality camerawork and higher budget, but I think there is a certain appeal to this "B" (or even C) movie quality. I wouldn't have minded a longer duration, perhaps throw in some sex appeal or a tense love interest in the "Jimmy" girl (Julie Entwisle), or a few scenes about the sleazy tabloid office, or some of Dees' cases that made him the best.

It's a good tale about obsession and selfishness. Was it all in his mind ? Is Dees the Night Flier, or is there a bloodsucking demon out there?


Full Movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGstHabOGo8
Director's Cut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1UQxcGDs3g
"Hell" sequence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5uyfbGVo_4