PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Released in 1990, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is a horror anthology that wraps three grisly stories inside a twisted frame narrative. Based on the 1980s TV series of the same name — created by George A. Romero, the man behind Night of the Living Dead—the film sticks to the show’s formula: short, chilling tales with a mix of dark humor, revenge, and supernatural payback.
The Setup of Tales from the Darkside: The Movie : A Witch, a Kid, and a Storybook
The film begins with a boy (Matthew Lawrence) trapped in a suburban kitchen by a modern-day witch, played with icy charm by Debbie Harry. She’s planning to cook him for dinner, but the kid buys time by reading stories from a book—Tales from the Darkside. That book becomes the gateway to the film’s three segments.
Segment 1: Lot 249
This one’s a straight-up revenge tale with a classic horror twist: a resurrected mummy. Adapted from a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, it stars a young Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi, and Julianne Moore — before any of them were famous.
Buscemi plays a college student who brings an ancient Egyptian mummy back to life to get even with classmates who wronged him. It’s gory, it’s fast, and it’s a pulpy blast. Sure, the story has a creepy Mummy, but also a hefty helping of blood and betrayal.
Segment 2: Cat from Hell
A rich old man (William Hickey) hires a hitman (David Johansen) to kill a black cat he believes is evil. Not just bad luck evil—actual supernatural vengeance evil. The cat is unstoppable, and what follows is a claustrophobic showdown in a locked mansion.
Written by Stephen King and adapted by Romero, this segment is known for one of the most absurd, memorable death scenes in ’90s horror. It’s weird, wild, and (at least for some) impossible to forget.
Segment 3: Lover’s Vow
The most emotional and character-driven of the three, Lover’s Vow follows a struggling artist who witnesses a brutal killing by a gargoyle-like creature. The monster spares him — on one condition: never speak of it.
Years later, his life has completely turned around. But secrets don’t stay buried forever. This one leans harder on atmosphere and narrative than gore, and it ends with a gut-punch twist. It’s the heart of the film, and it hits harder because of it. This story stars Rae Dawn Chong and James Remar, and may be a fan fave for some viewers.
Tone, Style, and Legacy
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is a mix of camp and creep—practical effects, monster makeup, and that unmistakable late-’80s/early-’90s horror texture. It’s more polished than the original show, but still proudly low-budget in spirit. The vibe? Think Creepshow’s kid brother—less prestige, more pulp. In fact, many fans consider it Creepshow 3 in all but name.
At the time of its release, reviews were mixed. Critics typically weren’t sold on its splattery style. But over time, it’s earned cult status, especially among horror fans who grew up renting VHS tapes and staying up for midnight movies.
Final Thoughts
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie isn’t trying to reinvent horror. It’s here to entertain, gross you out, and maybe make you laugh at how insane things can get (especially when a cat becomes a serial killer). It’s a time capsule of horror when monsters were made of rubber and rage — and that’s exactly why it works.
