Intruder (1989, Scott Spiegel)

Scott Spiegel is best known in association with Sam Raimi.  He has been in several of Raimi's films, including Evil Dead 1 & 2 as well as Spiderman 1 & 2.  He also co-wrote Evil Dead 2 with Raimi and directed a few films, including this one here.  Intruder even stars Sam Raimi and his brother Ted Raimi (another frequent collaborator).  So the mention of Raimi is inevitable, which really isn't a bad thing considering Raimi's large fanbase.  Intruder I stumbled upon mainly because of Raimi and Bruce Campbell (who also has a cameo).

Intruder takes place in a little supermarket at night.  The graveyard shift crew is about to close the store when the ex-boyfriend (David Byrnes) of Jennifer (Elizabeth Cox), one of the cashiers, starts making trouble.  She knows he is trouble and doesn't want anything to do with him but he won't take no for an answer.  After fighting with and being thrown out by some of the other employees, we assume he left.  Right after, the two owners inform the workers that the store will be going out of business and right away each of the employees starts dying one by one.  Looks like there is an Intruder in the store.

Intruder started off slow and a little too "after school special", with a bunch of 80s teens woe-ing over their problems.  At about the half way point, stuff starts gettin' good.  We have the legendary KNB Effects group (Robert Kurtzman, Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger) to thank for their realistic, untamed and just downright grody makeup effects.  Ever wondered what it would look like if someone's head got sawed in half?  Check out this film and you'll see!  The film is part whodunnit (you think you know who the killer is but you're not sure, then you know, then you don't) and part gory slasher.  The characters are a little less one dimensional then your average slasher but you'll still find yourself rooting for the next kill (at least I did, but I'm kinda weird).  The actors are another fun thing about the film, including Sam Raimi, Ted Raimi, Renee Estevez (sister of Emilio and Charlie Sheen, who was also in Sleepaway Camp 2) and a very short cameo by Bruce Campbell.  The setting is also a plus being that you don't see many horror films that take place solely in a supermarket.  The killings really kicked ass but unfortunately I could tell who the killer was shortly into the film so it lessened the impact.  Still, it was a good film that should be a must see for gorehounds or fans of Raimi and Campbell.

RATING:  6/10