1986·Horror·1h 31m
7.0
★
A group of teenagers in San Francisco discover a nest of homicidal monsters living in a tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, but when they try to tell authorities, no one believes them.
Directed by Joseph Mangine
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Cast
Clyde Hayes
Steven
Leilani Sarelle
Natalie
Andrew Divoff
Doc
Marta Kober
Lorraine
Trish Doolan
Donna
Victor Brandt
Devin
James Acheson
Ray
Jessie Lawrence Ferguson
Carson
Crew
Oliver Wood
Director of Photography
Joseph A. Porro
Costume Design
Allan A. Apone
Special Effects Makeup Artist
Popular Reviews
6 reviews
Gabby
7.7★ · 05/11/25
Natalie needed to stop going into dark places alone like girl! The maniacs!
Natalie needed to stop going into dark places alone like girl! The maniacs!
Jonas Garland
15/100
“I can go both ways” he says, as he tackles himself into a noose
“I can go both ways” he says, as he tackles himself into a noose
15/100
“I can go both ways” he says, as he tackles himself into a noose
“I can go both ways” he says, as he tackles himself into a noose
angelo
3.7★ · 10/08/21
I wish this movie was as fun as the poster. It’s called the Neon Maniacs but it needed a lot of the neon. This isn’t a good movie but it’s not at the level of bad where I can’t stand it. The monsters’ designs looked great, it was creative and creepy except for the ape thing. There are films where the supernatural being doesn’t need any explanation and adds to the mysterious depth of the film but this needed a huge explanation. The monsters seemed to be attracted to the main girl but the way they just killed random people says otherwise and it’s confusing how their pattern is when they keep following her. Their weakness sucks, it was plain and boring. There’s choppy editing and crappy dialogue for the high schoolers but I wouldn’t have minded it if this was more fun. The final act was the worst, it could’ve been more thought out because a lot did not sense.
I wish this movie was as fun as the poster. It’s called the Neon Maniacs but it needed a lot of the neon. This isn’t a good movie but it’s not at the level of bad where I can’t stand it. The monsters’ designs looked great, it was creative and creepy except for the ape thing. There are films where the supernatural being doesn’t need any explanation and adds to the mysterious depth of the film but this needed a huge explanation. The monsters seemed to be attracted to the main girl but the way they just killed random people says otherwise and it’s confusing how their pattern is when they keep following her. Their weakness sucks, it was plain and boring. There’s choppy editing and crappy dialogue for the high schoolers but I wouldn’t have minded it if this was more fun. The final act was the worst, it could’ve been more thought out because a lot did not sense.
Nick
6.0★ · 07/20/16
The most wonderful thing about the 80's is there seems to be no end to tiny treasures you can find. There's something to be said about the spirit of the 80's, with film in particular. Whether it's action, comedy, or horror the charm always hits me hard. I recently took a chance on an unknown title called Neon Maniacs brought to us on blu-ray by indie label CODE RED and boy did I find a gem. Blind buying based solely on the title, the cover image, and the year it was made, I took a risk. Fortune favours the bold though and this is evidence of that. I like this film so much because it's not afraid to be stupid. It's not trying too hard; Neon Maniacs knows exactly what it is and isn't ashamed.
The film features a cadre of demons varying in quality. Some demons are bad ass and memorable like the samurai and hook-weilding cyclopian crocodile. But there are others you can't help but chuckle at, like an albino caveman (or maybe a hairless yeti????). But even the caveman in all his silliness gets a scene to shine when his sillouette creepily stalks the dark halls of a high school. And that's exactly why even the worst parts of this movie are enjoyable. It does its absolute best with what it has. There's no use in pretending this film does a good job at cultivating any meaningful sense of dread. However, the scenes intended as such are still very fun to watch.
I think it's worth mentioning there are several moments in the film that look like goofs left in. One particular moment is when the two main characters, Steven (Clyde Hayes) and Natalie (Leilani Sarelle), kiss in the subway. Initially, Natalie leans in, but Steven backs away before realizing it's ok to kiss her. To me, it seems like that reaction from Steven was unplanned but it worked so well. It added an innocence and goofiness to the character that felt really genuine. I'm not saying this is a moment of high calibre performance, but it's a small thing that goes a long way. There are several moments like that in this film and I feel like everyone involved was having a good time.
We find the smartest and most capable character in a young girl who isn't afraid to take on the bad guys and has more useful ideas than the rest of the cast combined. The young protagonist, Paula (Donna Locke), doesn't take shit from anyone, including stupid cops. Oink Oink. She's the perfect combination of spunk and smarts. In a time when we still hear cries for better female characters in film, we could learn a thing or two from Neon Maniacs. According to IMDB, this was Locke's only role which is a shame. I wish we could have seen more of her efforts.
The most brilliant thing about this movie might be the ending. I was surprised by its suddenness. It's tauntingly ominous. It might actually by the one thing in this film that's close to something legitimately creepy. It's not shocking or assaulting, but there is skill in the way this film concludes. A numerical rating would be unhelpful for a movie like this. What I will say though is I enjoyed the hell out of it. If you have a soft spot for that 80's charm and are looking for a portal to take you back, this is a fun choice. It's a seriously unserious treat.
The film features a cadre of demons varying in quality. Some demons are bad ass and memorable like the samurai and hook-weilding cyclopian crocodile. But there are others you can't help but chuckle at, like an albino caveman (or maybe a hairless yeti????). But even the caveman in all his silliness gets a scene to shine when his sillouette creepily stalks the dark halls of a high school. And that's exactly why even the worst parts of this movie are enjoyable. It does its absolute best with what it has. There's no use in pretending this film does a good job at cultivating any meaningful sense of dread. However, the scenes intended as such are still very fun to watch.
I think it's worth mentioning there are several moments in the film that look like goofs left in. One particular moment is when the two main characters, Steven (Clyde Hayes) and Natalie (Leilani Sarelle), kiss in the subway. Initially, Natalie leans in, but Steven backs away before realizing it's ok to kiss her. To me, it seems like that reaction from Steven was unplanned but it worked so well. It added an innocence and goofiness to the character that felt really genuine. I'm not saying this is a moment of high calibre performance, but it's a small thing that goes a long way. There are several moments like that in this film and I feel like everyone involved was having a good time.
We find the smartest and most capable character in a young girl who isn't afraid to take on the bad guys and has more useful ideas than the rest of the cast combined. The young protagonist, Paula (Donna Locke), doesn't take shit from anyone, including stupid cops. Oink Oink. She's the perfect combination of spunk and smarts. In a time when we still hear cries for better female characters in film, we could learn a thing or two from Neon Maniacs. According to IMDB, this was Locke's only role which is a shame. I wish we could have seen more of her efforts.
The most brilliant thing about this movie might be the ending. I was surprised by its suddenness. It's tauntingly ominous. It might actually by the one thing in this film that's close to something legitimately creepy. It's not shocking or assaulting, but there is skill in the way this film concludes. A numerical rating would be unhelpful for a movie like this. What I will say though is I enjoyed the hell out of it. If you have a soft spot for that 80's charm and are looking for a portal to take you back, this is a fun choice. It's a seriously unserious treat.
The most wonderful thing about the 80's is there seems to be no end to tiny treasures you can find. There's something to be said about the spirit of the 80's, with film in particular. Whether it's action, comedy, or horror the charm always hits me hard. I recently took a chance on an unknown title called Neon Maniacs brought to us on blu-ray by indie label CODE RED and boy did I find a gem. Blind buying based solely on the title, the cover image, and the year it was made, I took a risk. Fortune favours the bold though and this is evidence of that. I like this film so much because it's not afraid to be stupid. It's not trying too hard; Neon Maniacs knows exactly what it is and isn't ashamed.
The film features a cadre of demons varying in quality. Some demons are bad ass and memorable like the samurai and hook-weilding cyclopian crocodile. But there are others you can't help but chuckle at, like an albino caveman (or maybe a hairless yeti????). But even the caveman in all his silliness gets a scene to shine when his sillouette creepily stalks the dark halls of a high school. And that's exactly why even the worst parts of this movie are enjoyable. It does its absolute best with what it has. There's no use in pretending this film does a good job at cultivating any meaningful sense of dread. However, the scenes intended as such are still very fun to watch.
I think it's worth mentioning there are several moments in the film that look like goofs left in. One particular moment is when the two main characters, Steven (Clyde Hayes) and Natalie (Leilani Sarelle), kiss in the subway. Initially, Natalie leans in, but Steven backs away before realizing it's ok to kiss her. To me, it seems like that reaction from Steven was unplanned but it worked so well. It added an innocence and goofiness to the character that felt really genuine. I'm not saying this is a moment of high calibre performance, but it's a small thing that goes a long way. There are several moments like that in this film and I feel like everyone involved was having a good time.
We find the smartest and most capable character in a young girl who isn't afraid to take on the bad guys and has more useful ideas than the rest of the cast combined. The young protagonist, Paula (Donna Locke), doesn't take shit from anyone, including stupid cops. Oink Oink. She's the perfect combination of spunk and smarts. In a time when we still hear cries for better female characters in film, we could learn a thing or two from Neon Maniacs. According to IMDB, this was Locke's only role which is a shame. I wish we could have seen more of her efforts.
The most brilliant thing about this movie might be the ending. I was surprised by its suddenness. It's tauntingly ominous. It might actually by the one thing in this film that's close to something legitimately creepy. It's not shocking or assaulting, but there is skill in the way this film concludes. A numerical rating would be unhelpful for a movie like this. What I will say though is I enjoyed the hell out of it. If you have a soft spot for that 80's charm and are looking for a portal to take you back, this is a fun choice. It's a seriously unserious treat.
The film features a cadre of demons varying in quality. Some demons are bad ass and memorable like the samurai and hook-weilding cyclopian crocodile. But there are others you can't help but chuckle at, like an albino caveman (or maybe a hairless yeti????). But even the caveman in all his silliness gets a scene to shine when his sillouette creepily stalks the dark halls of a high school. And that's exactly why even the worst parts of this movie are enjoyable. It does its absolute best with what it has. There's no use in pretending this film does a good job at cultivating any meaningful sense of dread. However, the scenes intended as such are still very fun to watch.
I think it's worth mentioning there are several moments in the film that look like goofs left in. One particular moment is when the two main characters, Steven (Clyde Hayes) and Natalie (Leilani Sarelle), kiss in the subway. Initially, Natalie leans in, but Steven backs away before realizing it's ok to kiss her. To me, it seems like that reaction from Steven was unplanned but it worked so well. It added an innocence and goofiness to the character that felt really genuine. I'm not saying this is a moment of high calibre performance, but it's a small thing that goes a long way. There are several moments like that in this film and I feel like everyone involved was having a good time.
We find the smartest and most capable character in a young girl who isn't afraid to take on the bad guys and has more useful ideas than the rest of the cast combined. The young protagonist, Paula (Donna Locke), doesn't take shit from anyone, including stupid cops. Oink Oink. She's the perfect combination of spunk and smarts. In a time when we still hear cries for better female characters in film, we could learn a thing or two from Neon Maniacs. According to IMDB, this was Locke's only role which is a shame. I wish we could have seen more of her efforts.
The most brilliant thing about this movie might be the ending. I was surprised by its suddenness. It's tauntingly ominous. It might actually by the one thing in this film that's close to something legitimately creepy. It's not shocking or assaulting, but there is skill in the way this film concludes. A numerical rating would be unhelpful for a movie like this. What I will say though is I enjoyed the hell out of it. If you have a soft spot for that 80's charm and are looking for a portal to take you back, this is a fun choice. It's a seriously unserious treat.
Rj Solesto
5.0★ · 09/03/25