Shadows Run Black (1984) User Reviews

Kevin Costner's second film.

[capkronos · 2/10 · 20 August 2002]

Another Troma-tic turkey (produced by Eric Louzil, who went on to direct those awful NUKE 'EM HIGH sequels) and substandard slasherama with one difference by default...Kevin Costner! In a minor supporting role, Costner has two scenes as campus party animal Jimmy Scott, main suspect in a rash of killings at Dorothy College. Short fused, foul-mouthed detective Rydell King (William J. Kulzer) investigates the murder spree of "The Black Angel" (aka "The Co-ed Killer" or "The Moral Vigilante"), a mystery maniac who enjoys cutting up a group of college girls who used to be hookers, like to shower a lot and have a strange aversion to clothing.

A key subplot involves a young bimbo named Judy (Elizabeth Trosper) who receives heavy breathing phone calls ("I'm coming to get you!") and whose racist brother objects to her black boyfriend. Everyone talks about how hot she is, a point that seems to require her to be painted up like a streetwalker at all times, including in the shower and waking up in the morning.

This film might set some kind of record for nude female victims, including porn star Susanna Britton/Barbara Peckinpaugh in an endless scene where she showers and runs around naked trying to elude the killer. Also featured are skinny dipping (from Terry Congie who co-starred with Costner in his first film, SIZZLE BEACH USA), a bloody stabbing, a head mashed in a car hood, a magician, a fat lesbian, a cello player and a visible boom mike. It didn't get released on video until 1986 (it was actually produced in 1981), with the publicity centering around... guess who?

Dances with Boobs & Bush

[Coventry · 3/10 · 21 January 2015]

Oh yes, this totally nonsensical and insignificant 80's slasher dud stars the one and only Kevin Costner! I bet he's as proud of this film as George Clooney is of "Return of the Killer Tomatoes" or as Tom Hanks is of "He Knows You're Alone". But hey, wait a minute… According to the data on this website – and I rarely ever doubt its accuracy – "Shadows Run Black" is a film from the year 1986! Are we supposed to believe that Costner starred in this turkey after he appeared in classier movies like "Silverado" and "Fandango" and only one year prior to the almighty successful Brian De Palma milestone "The Untouchables"? Of course not... A bit of quick research teaches us that "Shadows Run Black" was already finalized in 1981, but remained shelved for obvious reasons (because it's awful). Then in 1986 it was removed from the shelves and rapidly distributed, again for obvious reasons (it was still awful, but people would suddenly pay to see it because it stars Kevin Costner). Luckily for Kev, his role is merely a small and supportive one, and even though his character is often mentioned and talked about, his actual appearance in the film is rather limited and brief.

What are we left with then? "Shadows Run Black" is a misogynic, incoherent, clichéd, zero-budgeted and laughably inept slasher attempt. "A masked killer, a couple of idiotic red herrings and – most of all – a lot of female full frontal nudity is all we need in order to make a successful horror movie, right?". That's basically what the writers and producers must have thought when they started filming. Some psychopath, entirely dressed in black and wearing a ski mask, is slaughtering lewd girls left and right, supposedly because of their amoral behavior. The killer's main target is a local beauty queen with racist brother and a black boyfriend with an impressive porno-mustache. The frustrated and loud-mouthed police detective in charge only focuses on one prime suspect, and that is Kevin Costner in the role of a sleazy youthful thug. This movie is downright ridiculous. There is almost no link between the characters and the vast majority of them don't even have backgrounds or personalities. You'll see the proof of this when the end credits roll over the screen, as the actresses are referred to as "girl stabbed in chest" or "girl killed in kitchen". In return for their fifteen minutes of fame, however, these poor girls were obliged to parade fully naked in front of the camera for several minutes non- stop. The nudity is exaggerated and completely unrealistic, atop! Let me ask you: do you know any girl who would go and investigate strange noises in her house while still naked? Wouldn't any woman in the world put on at least a gown or a shirt? Director Howard Heard was so obsessed with his naked amateur actresses that he also lost continuity out of sight. For instance, whatever happened to the The build-up to the murders lasts incredibly long, what with the girls undressing and staring at themselves in the mirror, while the actual murders are tame and done with in the blink of an eye. I guess it's much easier and cheaper to show naked flesh instead of suspense and bloodshed. The killer's identity is simple to guess and so pitiably clichéd that you won't even believe it. Another great moment for the 80's slasher-industry, sigh

CHEESY SLASHER FILM!!

[psycho_153 · 3/10 · 22 December 1999]

Do not expect anything spectacular when you rent this movie. A killer starts killing teenage girls and boys which will eventually lead up to the killing of one girl in particular. Their are some interesting murder scenes but the movie is very slow and drags on and on and on. There is the classic who done it, with the blame being but on every one except the real killer. In the end the killer is predictable from the characters actions earlier in the movie and the final chase scene is pretty dull compared to others. Like I've said in my many other reviews watch it only if you're in the mood for some cheesy 80's slasher films.

not nearly the worst

[jamestapley · 5/10 · 5 August 2015]

While I can't argue with any of the negative reviews of the film it is nonetheless an interesting period piece and deserves some consideration for the upfront use (perhaps abuse is a better term?) of interracial and lesbian relationships to advance the otherwise weak and formulaic slasher plot.

And yes the viewer might be forgiven for thinking the film was made only as an excuse to show nubile nudes to adolescent males. Is that really such a bad thing?

Anyone at all interested in period slasher films should see this once... in this case once is enough. While not memorable you nonetheless won't forget it.

Did I mention M. Kostner's "let's put on a play in the barn!" acting skills on display?

That alone is worth the price of admission especially as the film is available online for free.

Cheapo slasher with a high sleaze quotient

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 30 March 2017]

SHADOWS RUN BLACK is a sleazy little slasher film of the 1980s that took years to get released, although watching it today the film seems surprisingly decent given that I was expecting nothing from it. It's no classic for sure, and it's not even a particularly great film, but I found it relatively suspenseful and the whodunit aspect of the film's structure is handled well.

The narrative concerns a cop (the effectively hard-ass William J. Kulzer) on the hunt for a serial killer who has been killing young and nubile women. He also goes around making dodgy heavy breathing telephone calls. If you're looking for gore you'll be disappointed, because the kills are slapdash and sped through without much interest; instead the director's intent seems to be to cram as much female nudity into his film as is humanly possible. Thus every victim is required to strip down and parade around in the nude for around ten minutes before being hastily dispatched. It's hardly high art, but the presence of a pre-stardom Kevin Costner in the cast helps to keep this one interesting, the atmosphere is suitably dark and gritty, and the twist ending is a hoot.

Shadows Run Black, Credibility Certainly Runs Away!

[Angelus-16 · 2/10 · 13 July 2000]

One of the very worst slasher films ever made; a ski-masked killer is doing away with vacuous coeds for a reason that never really becomes clear. Not even a spark of originality and EVERY girl who dies struts around naked despite the obvious presence of the maniac in the house / woods / room.

The only notable thing is a marginal appearance by Kevin Costner as a boyfriend who everyone thinks is the killer (but probably isn't if you've seen a few of these). Suspiciously, his name is elided completely from the film itself, and the way the end credits roll has to be seen to be believed. Awful.

"I was trying to scare your fat ass off the couch to get a job."

[udar55 · 3/10 · 22 November 2013]

Co-eds are being killed by some guy (the police alternately refer to him as the "Black Angel" or "Co-ed Strangler," to give you a sense of how fractured this movie is) in a ski mask and it is up to Det. Rydell King (William J. Kulzer) to find the killer. His investigation methods leave something to be desired as he just suspects anyone who knows the victims. Main girl Judy (Elizabeth Trosper) not only has to deal with her friends being offed, but also an overly protective brother and creepy phone calls. Killings happen randomly as characters are just introduced and offed before we finally find out who the killer is (director Howard Heard accidentally spoils it halfway through as he films the killer's distinct profile in shadow while he is on the phone). This slasher was started in 1981 but didn't get released until 1986. That is probably because of co-star Kevin Costner as a boyfriend/suspect. If you want a slasher devoid of blood and thrills, this is for you. I will admit that I did get a good laugh out of one scene where a girl in a gorilla mask scares her roommate. When asked why she did it, the girl replies, "I was trying to scare your fat ass off the couch to get a job." If only my parents had tried that on me.

More humble beginnings

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 2/10 · 15 April 2005]

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

A serial killer by the name of The Black Angel is on the loose in a college campus,slaying girls or boys without discrimination.College party animal Jimmy Scott (Kevin Costner) falls under the heavy eye of Detective King (William J Kulzer) a short-fused,foul-mouthed detective driven by his own personal needs to track down the killer on account of his own daughter's savage killer not being found years before.But when Judy (Elizabeth Trosper) one of the sexiest girls on the campus starts getting heavy breathing phone calls,it looks like she may become the next target if King can't find the killer in time.

Kevin Costner makes an early film appearance as the prime suspect (long before the days of Dawson's Creek this was obviously one of those pioneer movies that cast actors about ten years too old to be playing college students in their roles.)He gives a terrible performance like everyone else,but then he was probably having his daydreams of staring in epic tales of epic frontiers and district attorneys who root out presidential assassins,unlike the other stars who just faded into oblivion after this film was made (there seem to be a few who think Costner should have done the same,but,there you go...) The film was made in 1986,but looks more like it was made in 1976.The dodgy lighting and wooden sets are here in all their glory,obviously a very low-budget effort all round.Yep,this is definitely another one of those 'before-they-were-famous' efforts that linger at the back of the CVs of stars like Costner like flies on sh*t.*

If you like surly cops and nekkid women...

[betamaximum · 3/10 · 16 August 2005]

This movie radiates with star power! Kevin Costner lights up the screen! Truly, he is a wonder to behold as the suspicious boyfriend! Oh, those eyes, burning with intensity...

Okay, yeah, Costner's presence doesn't help this movie. But truth be told, nothing could. It's really the kind of movie you get when you put a bunch of people together who think they have what it takes to make a decent film, but don't.

And while you might think this is regular slasher fare, I say nay! Though this has some slasher elements (i.e. a ski-masked killer and topless college girls), it's really a hackneyed detective thriller trying to disguise itself as a true blue horror flick.

Detectives investigate as nubile young ladies are killed by a masked madman. Of course, preceding each kill sequence is a very leisurely-paced scene of the future victim getting down to her skivvies and beyond. The killings are sporadic and dull, failing to generate any kind of suspense or momentum.

But wait, there's more. See, the victims all know each other. What's the connection to the killer? What is the murderer's maniacal motive? Will you be able to wait ninety minutes to find out?

While it was compelling watching several young actresses disrobe for any and all reasons, the script, acting, cinematography, and direction were incompetent enough to make it hard to sit through.

So as a suspense film, this doesn't cut the mustard. But if you want some softcore porn, and you're too embarrassed to go up to the video store counter with the real thing, this might fit the bill.

really really stupid!!!!!!

[ieatcoalchamber · 1 January 2000]

This movie is the stupidest movie i have ever seen the scenes are stupid and not scary what so ever.There is no suspense.They use maple syrup for blood and i spent 1.19$ renting this piece of garbage and it was not worth it at all DONT WATCH THIS WHAT EVER YOU DO!!!!!!!!

A long way to go with a black angel by your side

[BandSAboutMovies · 2/10 · 11 October 2021]

There's a serial killer called The Black Angel out there doing his or her thing. This movie is listed as an erotic thriller on Wikipedia, but that sounds like a giallo, but it's slasher month and hey - this movie sat on shelves for years until Kevin Costner became a big name.

Rydell King is a cop with something to prove, because his daughter was kidnapped and killed several years ago, so the opportunity to deal out justice to another killer sounds like a dish he didn't put in the air fryer. He gets the idea that a prostitute named Lee, who is totally living that Betsy Russell/Donna Wilkes life because she looks way too clean to be a girl working those rough streets, can lead him to the killer.

She then goes to her birthday party, which has a dude playing stand-up bass and a magician and we have another 80s movie that says, "See, being a hooker is totally fun and safe except for that one guy who wants to kill you." And then Lee gets strangled while her boyfriend (Costner) doesn't want to go swim naked with her. He claims its because he wants to watch the magic show, which is absolutely a lie because no one really likes magic, and more likely because every time he swims, The Mariner must drink his own urine.

In case you wonder when someone is going to die, it's every time someone gets naked. And by someone, I mean women, because this movie is all about the male gaze as well as showing how pubic hair was styled in 1981. It's also horrible. Yes, despite non-stop nudity, this movie still manages to be like overdosing on opiates and the sleep of death that results.

Actually, this might be a giallo because an obvious dummy gets thrown off a rooftop.

What sucky movie! Did I say this movie sucks?

[Movie Nuttball · 1/10 · 19 September 2003]

Shadows Run Deep is a horrible movie! Its definitely not one of those "its so bad, its good" type of films. What makes Me sick, yes absolutely sick about the movie is all of the nudity in it! There is so much it the movie should have been called "What woman can bare it all the most before she get killed?":{ If you are a guy and love nudity where it shows the top and the bottom for at least a half of a minute in each scene (which to Me it seemed to be days before a scene ended) then hurry up and find and buy this movie IMMEDIATELY! In My opinion it would have been a good if there wasn't so damn much filth in it because the music was ok and the acting by William J. Kulzer was decent. I guess they thought it would it be great if THAT MUCH was in it! Well, in My opinion this just totally ruins a movie. The gore factor here was really non-existent. For hardcore slasher fans there was a few killings and blood but there was only one killing on screen. My advise is if you are a fan of the Friday the 13th series, the Halloween series, and/or the Scream series (which most of them films keeps nudity to a minimum) don't expect something really great to happen as this crappy excuse of a slasher doesn't even come close to them and even the appearances by Kevin Costner doesn't save this movie:( Only watch the movie if you are a nudity freak! I hate to say it but this movie SUCKS!!! That's My opinion!

Don't you just love films that give special guest star billing to someone you've never heard of before?

[mark.waltz · 2/10 · 15 July 2023]

Not even mentioning that name because chances are, unless you tell a relative, you've never heard of them before. The only reason this film has any interest in the least is the presence of Kevin Costner in a small role as the main suspect in a string of serial killings, taking place at a small town college. That mragd there's plenty of unnecessary sex scenes, and the character development is rather poor so it is difficult to care about anyone. Costner's weird early 80's hairstyle reminded me of John Ritter in "Three's Company", but the only difference is that Ritter is funny, and Costner is not, here playing a completely unpleasant character who really gets nothing substantial to do. The film has lengthy scenes of some truly rotten performance art, a complete waste of screen time.

Formula slasher film

[lor_ · 13 March 2023]

My review was written in July 1986 after watching the film on Lightning video cassette.

Though bearing a 1984 copyright, "Shadows Run Black" is a very ordinary slasher film shot in spring 1981, heyday of the unlamented genre. Announced as a 1983 release by CineWorld, pic went directly to video cassette.

Episodic presentation (with little continuity evident) has a serial killer, dubbed "The Black Angel" by the press, offing pretty young coeds. Cop on the case, Sgt. Rydell King (William J. Kulzer), is coming off a leave of absence that followed the unsolved kidnapping of his daughter (hint, hint).

Prime suspect is Jimmy Scott (Kevin Costner, uncredited), who knew the girls . However, after Scott is arrested the murders continue. Dumb ending is telegraphed in the second reel.

Apart from an early role by star-of-the-future Costner (whose character is omitted from the otherwise complet end credits), "Shadows" is notable only for its unusually capacious amount of full nudity featuring well-built young women, an obvious draw in the cassette market. Tech credits are weak and acting, apart from Costner, only semi-pro. Derek Stratten was listed as director when film was in production while one "Howard Heard" is credited on screen.

Many of the filmmakers and cast members reunited last year to make "Georgia County Lockup", a women's prison film notable for casting wrestling/roller derby star Dee Booher (a/k/a Queen Kong).