Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Schlocky cult horror with sexual references, sexual assault.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
What's the Story?
In ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK, cult movie TV star Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) is fired from her job and arrives in a small town where she's inherited her great aunt's rundown home, alongside her poodle and beloved cookbook. On a mission to do up the property and make some money for a big Vegas show, she enlists the help of the local teens, but struggles to fit in with their conservative parents, who call for the eccentric "witch" to be burned at the stake.
Is It Any Good?
It may fall into the "so bad it's good" category—it even won a Razzie—but this cult horror comedy is smarter than it first appears. The comedy pedigree behind the team both in front of and behind the camera gives Elvira: Mistress of the Dark a knowing edge, with director James Signorelli a longtime producer on Saturday Night Live, and writer John Paragon and Elvira herself, Peterson, boasting training back to infamous Los Angeles improv troupe The Groundlings. It's the definition of schlocky, with wide-eyed, stilted dialogue to camera, stock characters straight out of a sketch, and indulgent B-Movie effects. What emerges is ridiculous, fun, weirdly empowering in places—at least some of the leering men eventually get their comeuppance—and oddly cathartic, even as it struggles to keep the pace alive at times. It has Hairspray-esque messages about open-mindedness and acceptance, alongside some great horror references that will likely inspire a rewatch of some other Razzie-worthy "classics."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the main character was portrayed in Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. How was she sexualized by others and how did she own her own sexuality? Did she come across as powerful? What other character traits did she have?
Talk about the film's violence. Was it exciting? Thrilling? Scary? Is a certain level of violence and scares expected in a movie like this? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
The movie has messages about acceptance and being yourself. Why is it important to be open-minded and not to judge based on appearances or first impressions?
Many films mix horror and comedy. How did this one compare? Did you notice any well-known tropes that've been used elsewhere? Why do you think mixing the two genres together is often so effective?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 30, 1988
- On DVD or streaming : September 6, 2011
- Cast : Cassandra Peterson , Daniel Greene , William Morgan Sheppard
- Director : James Signorelli
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Queer Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : New World
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 4, 2024
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