Neon Nightmares: RETRIBUTION (1987)

It’s that wonderful time of the year when Neon Dreams morphs into Neon Nightmares, and this time we’ve been possessed by a true hidden gem—Guy Magar’s outrageous debut feature, Retribution. Imagine a jukebox playing all the Shocktober hits: body horror, supernatural possession, revenge thriller, and a neon extravaganza. All submerged in nocturnal L.A. vibes, and folded into what feels like the best Tales from the Crypt episode you’ve never seen.  

We open on Halloween night with struggling artist George (Dennis Lipscomb) falling to the ground from several stories up. Inexplicably, his life is saved by a mysterious neon-hued force that enters him and torments him with dreams of a vicious murder. From there, all bets are off as Retribution glides from one shocking turn to another, delivering one hell of a crowd-pleasing experience. 

Gory, bizarre, hilarious, and surprisingly touching, Retribution truly has something for everybody. Much like last year’s screening of Death Spa, this is a low-fi charmer that will have audiences jumping out of their seats and clamouring for more. Presented on a gorgeous restoration courtesy of Severin Films and the American Genre Film Archive.

This screening and others are made possible thanks to our wonderful sponsor Hollywood Suite.

Part of the Neon Dreams series!

Cast/Crew Info
Director: Guy Magar | Cast: Dennis Lipscomb, Leslie Wing, Suzanne Snyder, Jeff Pomerantz, George Murdock