Director Thom Eberhardt’s eighties apocalyptic classic is a great amalgam of zombie horror and coming of age drama. And while it does watch very much like an eighties film with brutally dated clothing and hairstyles, Eberhardt’s film has been incredibly influential since its initial release, nonetheless. Scream Factory provides a fitting and really sharp treatment (though maintaining the grit and grain) for what is still a stellar dose of post-apocalyptic fiction that entertains as well as frightens.
Though most films would have difficulty balancing out the tones of drama, comedy, and horror, “Night of the Comet” keeps its tonal changes consistent, and apropos for the premise and havoc that ensue. After a dazzling meteor shower compels most of the world to view it pass Earth, two troubled young girls find themselves missing the sight by coincidence. Little do they know that everyone that’s viewed the shower has evaporated in to dust. Those unlucky enough to barely dodge it have become vicious flesh eating zombies. Regina Belmont spends a romantic night with her boyfriend in the local movie theater’s metal encased shelter, and awakens to the new world.
Upon discovering the powdered denizens of LA, she begins searching for answers and survivors, while dodging zombies. As she teams with her sister, and another survivor, they venture out in to the world to find some sense of direction with the wasteland. All the while a group of scientists plan to figure out how to reverse the evaporation of the meteors and have plans for the girls. Most of “Night of the Comet” is tinted with orange and purple hues, depicting something of a radioactive environment for the planet. The meteor show defeated civilization overnight, and now there are only a few valley girls in Los Angeles that have to begin adapting.
Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney give really memorable turns as this fractured pair of sisters that not only have to depend on one another to survive, but begin to feel the gradual trauma of the apocalypse. Director Eberhardt stages some truly creepy dream sequences that imply the sense of isolation and paranoia the characters feel, and this sets the stage for consistent threats of attacks from random zombies. It also sets the tone for the confrontation with the scientists that view the surviving few as a potential biohazard. “Night of the Comet” is an entertaining and creepy eighties gem, and it’s one that offers a glimpse at the end of the world both visceral and cerebral.
Aside from the bitchin’ new cover art for the special edition of “Night of the Comet” (including reversible slip art on the blu-ray to the original poster work), the blu-ray and DVD combo comes with some enjoyable extras. There’s an audio commentary with actors Kelli Maroney, Catherine Mary Stewart, Mary Woronov, director/writer Thom Eberhardt, and production designer John Muto. There are a series of brand new interviews with Catherine Mary Stewart, Kelli Maroney, Robert Bertran, and Make Up Effects creator David B. Miller. There’s also a full color photo gallery, a behind the scenes photo gallery, and the original theatrical trailer.