Nightbreed
Directed by Clive BarkerA community of mutant outcasts of varying types and abilities attempts to escape the attention of a psychotic serial killer and redneck vigilantes with the help of a brooding young man who discovers them. Based on the novel "Cabal" by Clive Barker.
Nightbreed Ratings & Reviews
- Doc WormDecember 16, 2025It’s imperative to watch the directors cut of Nightbreed. A sprawling horror fantasy epic with dense subtext. While there is an argument to be made that the pacing isn’t the best and perhaps a bit scattered in its structure- the writing, effects and performances more than make up for it. Clive Barker is a master of story telling and Nightbreed’s fable of intolerance is another great example of why.
- FranBizAugust 12, 2025This is a pretty cool movie with so many talented elements. The monster costumes and effects are cool. The music score by Danny Elfman gives it an action and suspenseful feel. The story is pretty good, too.
- RichardAugust 24, 2025Clive Barker’s Nightbreed is one of those cult films that feels like it was made for the misfits, monsters and dreamers. The world of Midian is rich with lore and the creature designs are unforgettable. But depending on which version you watch, you’ll get a very different experience. The Theatrical Cut (1990) is the most widely known, but also the most compromised. Director’s Cut (2014) This is the version Barker himself oversaw, restoring nearly 20 minutes of footage. It’s more emotional, more coherent, and finally lets the story breathe. The monsters aren’t just cool, they’re sympathetic. The fantasy elements shine, and the ending feels earned. If you watch Nightbreed for the first time, make it this one. The Cabal Cut (2017) is a major improvement. It restores lost footage, deepens character arcs and brings back the emotional core that was missing. It’s rough around the edges, some scenes are taken from VHS, but it is maybe the closest we’ve come to Barker’s intended story. Then there’s the Sensical Cut (1990), a fan edit that tries to balance pacing and coherence while preserving the best of both worlds. It’s surprisingly effective, especially if you want a smoother viewing experience without sacrificing depth. Nightbreed is a misunderstood gem. The Director’s Cut is the best place to start, it’s the most polished and emotionally resonant version. The Cabal Cut is for completists and the Sensical Cut is a smart alternative. Just do yourself a favor and skip the theatrical release unless you're curious how studios can butcher brilliance
- hairydemonOctober 19, 2025a generous 1 star for trying. As a writer who paints fantastical and nightmarish imagery, Barker is one of the best. His unique visions have changed the creative world. But when it comes to this film, he did not have the cinematic chops to pull off what he saw in his head. Lumped with a terrible DOP, half baked prosthetic designs, and awful art director, it was not going to go well. I can't even imagine the 'behind the scenes' problems, but i can feel the chaos. And then there is Cronenberg, riding high on his Fly oscar, turning in a cringeworthy performance. Society, this is not. It is too extravagant to be schlock. Too shit to be noteworthy. The idea of it is so much stronger than the actual thing. Maybe (definitely) it could be done better today. PS WTF was R Lee Ermey doing in there as a police sergeant?!
Nightbreed Trivia
Nightbreed was released on February 16, 1990.
Nightbreed was directed by Clive Barker.
Nightbreed has a runtime of 2 hr.
Nightbreed was produced by Gabriella Martinelli, Mark Alan Miller.
The key characters in Nightbreed are Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer), Lori Desinger (Anne Bobby), Dr. Philip K. Decker (David Cronenberg).
Nightbreed is rated R.
Nightbreed is a Horror, Action, Fantasy film.
Nightbreed has an audience rating of 6 out of 10.