Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) follows a similar format as its predecessor, the anthology television series Tales from the Darkside. The film, directed by John Harrison, centers around a kidnapped paperboy who is forced to entertain his captor with three terrifying tales. Betty, a wealthy suburban woman and practicing witch, hosts a dinner party for her fellow witches and has Timmy, a young boy she has imprisoned in her pantry, as the main course. To prolong his life, Timmy shares three tales from a book given to him by Betty titled Tales from the Darkside.

Lot 249. Edward Bellingham, a graduate student, fell victim to the deceitful actions of his classmates Susan and Lee. In an attempt to sabotage his chances of winning a scholarship they were also competing for, they falsely accused him of theft. Seeking revenge, Bellingham resurrected a mummy and used it as a weapon to kill them. However, Susan’s brother Andy later retaliated by kidnapping Bellingham and destroying the mummy before burning its remains. He also disposed of what he believed to be the reanimation parchment. Despite contemplating taking Bellingham’s life, in the end he could not bring himself to commit such a serious crime.

Cat from Hell. Drogan, a wealthy elderly man who relies on a wheelchair for mobility, enlists the services of a hitman named Halston in an unconventional request: eliminate a particular black cat. According to Drogan, the feline is malevolent and responsible for the deaths of three previous inhabitants of his home: his sister Amanda, her friend Carolyn, and the family’s butler Richard Gage. Drogan provides further detail, claiming that the cat systematically took out each person before targeting him next. As owner of a pharmaceutical company that conducted tests resulting in the death of 5,000 cats, Drogan is convinced that this specific black cat has arrived to exact cosmic retribution.

Lover’s Vow. Preston, a struggling artist, resides in a studio with a skylight that allows the stone gargoyle on the neighboring building to gaze down at him. His agent contacts him and suggests meeting at a nearby bar. Dishearteningly, he is informed that his art is not well-received and not making any sales. Seeking solace, Preston drinks heavily and his bartender friend offers to accompany him home at the end of the night. In an alleyway stop, Preston relieves himself as his friend spots and shoots at a monstrous gargoyle. In retaliation, the creature attacks and severs Preston’s hand. Fearing for his life, he attempts to flee but is met by the creature who agrees to spare him under one condition – to never disclose what he has witnessed.