Cinema Psychos Movie Reviews · Brian Cottington

Fright Night (1985) Review: Jerry Dandridge is THE Suave 80s Vampire King in this Horror Movie!

·1 hr 26 min·5 clips

Why does a 1985 vampire film feature a teenage girl seduced by a hundred-year-old vampire?

This episode of Cinema Psychos Movie Reviews is a deep dive into the 1985 horror-comedy "Fright Night." Hosts Brian Coddington and filmmaker John Willscroft, both self-described "aging millennials," celebrate the film's 40th anniversary. They frame it as a top-tier vampire movie that blends 80s aesthetics with meta-horror commentary. The hosts outline the plot where teenager Charlie Brewster, played by William Ragsdale, suspects his new neighbor Jerry Dandridge is a vampire. They describe Charlie pressuring his girlfriend Amy, played by Amanda Bearse, and then ignoring her to spy on Jerry moving a coffin. The review covers Charlie's failed attempt to get help from a detective and his subsequent turn to TV horror host Peter Vincent, a washed-up actor portrayed by Roddy McDowall. Brian and John detail Jerry's seduction of Amy at a nightclub and his transformation of Charlie's friend "Evil" Ed into a vampire. They reference director Tom Holland's inspiration, which John learned from interviewing him for his own channel. A central insight is that Chris Sarandon's Jerry Dandridge exudes a uniquely 80s brand of suave, "big dick energy," contrasting with older, more gothic vampires. The hosts find Charlie to be an unlikable and inept protagonist, arguing he is merely a vessel for more interesting characters like Peter Vincent and Jerry. They note the film's uncomfortable elements, including Jerry's predatory pursuit of the teenage Amy and the implied age gap. Brian highlights the hilarious detail of Jerry using a light gray leather trench coat as a cape, calling it his "best come hither" outfit. The conversation points out the movie's meta-commentary on horror fandom and its function as a "meta version" of classic Hammer Films. They observe that iconic vampire rules, like the power of crosses, are subtly subverted in the story. A memorable moment discussed is Jerry's dramatic entrance as "sexy mist" in an alley to corner Evil Ed. The hosts also joke about the logistical oddities of the film's setting, which includes a small town with both a TV studio and a massive 80s nightclub. The tone is highly conversational, humorous, and filled with personal anecdotes about discovering the film in video stores or on cable TV. Their style is informal and enthusiastic, featuring tangents, inside jokes, and playful bickering about characters and plot points. They maintain a nostalgic, fan-centric perspective throughout the analysis. Horror fans who enjoy 80s cult classics, vampire lore, and films with a self-aware, meta-humor will love this episode. Listeners who prefer serious, straightforward film criticism or are sensitive to discussions of dated, problematic content in older movies might want to skip it.

As heard by us

A lively Fright Night discussion that keeps circling Jerry Dandridge and Peter Vincent.

Cinema Psycho Show's Fright Night discussion keeps returning to Jerry Dandridge, and that makes sense. The hosts lean into his swinging vampire energy, the light gray leather trench coat, and the sexy mist gimmickry with clear affection, while Brian Coddington and John…

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Why you'd press play

Play this for a Fright Night hang that treats Jerry Dandridge like the main event.

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