Pumpkinhead
Pumpkinhead

Pumpkinhead

1988Movie86 minEnglish

When a group of teenagers inadvertently kill his only son, Ed Harley seeks the powers of a backwoods witch to bring the child back to life.

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Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Google Users75%
Director: Stan WinstonGenres: Horror, Fantasy, Thriller

Plot Summary

A group of young adults accidentally kill a young boy named Billy in a hit-and-run while on vacation. The boy's father, Jedediah, enlists the help of a local witch doctor to resurrect a demon, Pumpkinhead, to exact revenge on the group. The creature systematically hunts down and brutally murders each of them, blurring the lines between vengeance and outright evil.

Critical Reception

Pumpkinhead was met with mixed to positive reviews, praised for its atmosphere, creature design, and Lance Henriksen's performance, but criticized for its predictable plot and gore. It has since gained a cult following.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its effective creature design and unsettling atmosphere.
  • Lance Henriksen's performance as the tormented father is a standout.
  • Criticized for its somewhat generic slasher-film plot and excessive gore.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciate the film's classic horror elements, particularly the terrifying creature and the vengeful father's story. Some viewers find the plot straightforward but effective for the genre.

Fun Fact

The distinctive appearance of Pumpkinhead was created using a combination of prosthetics, animatronics, and a suit worn by actor Tom Woodruff Jr., who was a frequent collaborator with Stan Winston.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**An honest, committed and well-made low-budget film that delivers what it promises and doesn't leave us dissatisfied.** I just saw this movie, which is currently considered a cult classic and an example of what you want from a low-budge...
Gimly

Gimly

SFX guru Stan Winston helms this movie, and it is the special effects of _Pumpkinhead_ that most stand out. For those alone, it is worth watching, however, it never reached the heights of horror franchises born of the same era. Still, a shi...