Night of The Reaper Summary and Review - A VHS Nightmare Reborn

Night of the Reaper is an ’80s-style slasher from director Brandon Christensen that pays homage to the horror staples of that decade, lovingly recreating the era’s look and feel. The retro-styled opening titles only heighten the anticipation but does it work?

The Unsolved Murder

The film opens in familiar territory: Emily Golding, a babysitter on Halloween night, is alone in the house, being increasingly threatened by an unseen intruder. At first, she assumes it’s the kids playing around, until the tension goes through the gears and the game turns deadly. It's an eerie, unsettling opener that delivers genuine menace.

A few years later, Emily's murder remains unsolved, casting a pall over the town. The house where the killing occurred stands empty and unsellable. Rodney Arnold is the local sheriff who is still grieving the loss of his wife in a car crash and struggling to raise his young son, Max — consumed by guilt and obsession with finding the killer.

Deena Comes Home

Enter Deena, returning home for the university break, just in time for Halloween. Her reunion with her old friends is uneasy, and though her mother welcomes her warmly, her father’s declining health, hinted at through his heart medication, casts a shadow. Deena reconnects with her best friend, Haddie, and the pair plan a big night out but only after Haddie finishes a babysitting gig for the sheriff. When Haddie falls ill, Deena reluctantly agrees to take her place to stay in the sheriff’s good books. Unexpectedly, she finds herself enjoying her time with Max — until the night takes a dark turn and a replay of the grim events from years earlier seems to be looming.

Meanwhile, the sheriff begins receiving anonymous parcels containing VHS tapes and other items tied to the Golding case. Sensing that he is being taunted by the killer, he's determined to follow this new trail and uncover the truth — trying to decipher the clues with increasing desperation. Back at the house, Deena’s evening unravels — lights flicker, the phone rings, and shadows move. Before long, she realises she’s in danger and time is running out.

Nailing The Aesthetic 

Visually, Night of the Reaper nails the aesthetic with a muted colour palette, grainy textures, and saturated, high-contrast exterior shots. A moody synth score, even wavering here and there, ties it all together. The slightly exaggerated acting evokes the slashers of the era; however, it’s sometimes hard to tell whether the stiffness and overreactions are deliberate homage or just uneven direction. Deena’s wide-eyed, slow head turns as she creeps through the house feel more stagey than suspenseful, and the sheriff bristles with old-school cop hostility, swinging between wrestling with his grief to aggressively threatening suspects. Christensen could have played it more — or less — tongue-in-cheek to make his intentions clear.

Parallel Threads

The parallel storylines are intriguing but never quite mesh, and the police procedural thread slows the momentum. Christensen’s attention to period detail is admirable, but the film never builds enough tension to deliver on the promise of its strong opening. There are violent and disturbing moments, but the film relies more on suspense and atmosphere than gore. Yet, despite its Halloween setting, it never fully captures the season’s mood — it nods to it rather than immersing us in it.

The final twist unfolds in a step by step manner, complete with a “while you weren’t looking, I did this” reveal. It’s enjoyable, though the execution doesn’t quite pass the Mrs. Voorhees test — too long, too convoluted, and not as satisfying as it should be. Still, a standout kill briefly reignites the tension

As a fan of Christensen’s earlier work (Z, Still/Born, Superhost - all previous reviewed here), I found Night of the Reaper a disappointment. It’s a solid tribute to the slashers of yesteryear, but it lacks the bite and emotional punch of these previous films. Still, many viewers seem to enjoy it, so I won’t say avoid it altogether — just temper your expectations. 

3/5

Deena: Jessica Clement
Sheriff Rodney Arnold (Rod): Ryan Robbins
Elizabeth Talbot: Keegan Connor Tracy
Butch (Officer): Matty Finochio
Max Arnold: Max Christensen
Chad Bolton: Ben Cockell
The Reaper: David Feehan
Willis Hanover: Bryn Samuel
Haddie McAllister: Savannah Miller
Director: Brandon Christensen
Writers: Brandon Christensen & Ryan Christensen
Year of Release: 2025 (en.wikipedia.org)