Retro Blood

🎙️ Retro Blood 176: Near Dark (1987) 🎙️

James Kline and J.H. Alison wrap up 1980s Vampire Horror Month: Part 2 with one of the grittiest and most underrated vampire flicks of the decade—Near Dark! 🌄🧛‍♂️

We kick things off with quick thoughts on the film, comparing it to other vampire classics and discussing its unique neo-western horror vibe. Then, in our Weekly History Segment, we look at what was happening in Pro Wrestling and Metal Music around its release on October 2, 1987. James dives into Jerry “The King” Lawler winning the Lord of the Ring Tournament, while Alison covers the Lynyrd Skynyrd Reunion Tour, the band's legacy, and the tragic deaths of its original members. 🎸🔥

Then, we dig into the history of Near Dark—how Kathryn Bigelow brought her vision to life, how she originally wanted to make a Western, and how the cast’s connection to Aliens shaped the film. We also discuss the killer performances, from Bill Paxton's unforgettable turn as Severen to Lance Henriksen's menacing Jesse Hooker.

Finally, we break down the full movie—Caleb’s rough vampire initiation, Mae’s tragic romance, the blood-drinking road trip, the legendary bar massacre, and the unusual twist on vampire lore: a simple blood transfusion as a cure—despite the movie never using the word "vampire."

A modern horror cult classic? Absolutely. Ride with us through the night as we close out our vampire theme month with Near Dark!

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