Shocker (film)

Shocker

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1989
Founder	Wes Craven
Products	Supernatural slasher movie
Parent	Universal Pictures

Shocker (also titled Wes Craven's Shocker) is a 1989 American supernatural slasher movie, both written and directed by Wes Craven. The film features performances by Michael Murphy, Peter Berg, Cami Cooper, and Mitch Pileggi. Distributed by Universal Pictures, it premiered on October 27, 1989, and earned $16.6 million at the box office.

Plot

Horace Pinker, a limping television repairman and serial murderer responsible for more than thirty deaths in a Los Angeles suburb, becomes the focus of detective Lt. Don Parker after an investigation. Pinker targets Parker’s family, killing his wife and foster children, sparing only Jonathan, Parker’s adopted son and a college football athlete who develops a psychic connection with Pinker.

After a deadly shootout at Pinker's workshop that results in multiple police fatalities, Pinker retaliates by killing Alison, Jonathan’s girlfriend. Subsequently apprehended while attempting another murder, Pinker is sentenced to die in the electric chair.

Prior to his execution, Pinker discloses that Jonathan is his biological son and recounts how Jonathan once shot him in the knee to prevent him from harming Jonathan’s mother. Unknown to the authorities, Pinker has made a deal with the devil; upon execution he transforms into an electrical entity. He then possesses various individuals—including prison personnel and Jonathan’s acquaintances—to continue his spree of killings.

Pinker briefly takes control of Lt. Parker but manages to flee into a television satellite dish. In response, Jonathan and his friends devise a plan to shut down the power station in order to trap Pinker. With assistance from Alison’s spirit, Jonathan exploits the vulnerabilities of Pinker’s energy form and confines him within a television set. As a blackout envelops the neighborhood caused by Jonathan's friends, Pinker remains imprisoned while Jonathan gazes skyward, contemplating the stars’ beauty.

Cast

• Michael Murphy as Lt. Don Parker
• Peter Berg as Jonathan Parker, Don’s adoptive son
• Camille Cooper as Alison Clemens, Jonathan’s girlfriend
• Mitch Pileggi as Horace Pinker, the serial killer
• Sam Scarber as Sidney Cooper
• Richard Brooks as Rhino
• Vincent Guasteferro as Pastori
• Ted Raimi as Pac Man
• Heather Langenkamp as Victim: Langenkamp, renowned for her portrayal of Nancy Thompson in Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street series, makes a brief appearance as Pinker's initial victim.
• Timothy Leary as Television Evangelist
• Kane Roberts as Road Worker; guitarist for Alice Cooper's band
• Wes Craven as Man Neighbor
• Jessica Craven (daughter of Wes Craven) as Counterperson
• Jonathan Craven (son of Wes Craven) as Jogger and visual effects coordinator
• John Tesh as TV Newscaster
• Michael Matthews as Evil Mouth
• Eugene Chadbourne as Man in Bar

Rating

The production underwent significant edits—approximately thirteen submissions—to obtain an "R" rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. These cuts primarily removed intense violent scenes involving Pinker. Despite ongoing fan demand, no unedited version has been officially released.

Box office

Premiering on October 27, 1989, Shocker debuted in 1,783 theaters and earned $4.5 million during its opening weekend, securing the second spot behind Look Who's Talking. Its total domestic revenue reached $16.6 million.

Critical response

The film received a variety of reactions from critics. On At the Movies, Gene Siskel gave a somewhat positive endorsement, whereas Roger Ebert expressed disapproval, pointing out inconsistencies in the film’s internal logic. The New York Times remarked on its exaggerated style but conceded that it was an entertaining production. Variety applauded the suspense and stylistic approach of the initial 40 minutes but criticized the subsequent campy tone and unclear narrative rules. The Los Angeles Times commended the special effects but found the overall structure fragmented. Several other reviewers mentioned issues with pacing and coherence despite acknowledging creative effects sequences.

John Kenneth Muir interpreted the movie as Wes Craven’s humorous take on the Freddy Krueger saga, particularly praising the special effects showcased in the final 20 minutes. As of October 2023, the film holds a 30% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics recognizing its compelling concept but flawed execution.

Craven later revealed that difficulties with special effects arose due to the effects supervisor experiencing a breakdown and leaving work incomplete, which forced hurried corrections during post-production.

On Metacritic, Shocker earned a score of 51 out of 100, reflecting mixed or average critical reception.

Home media

Universal Studios initially released Shocker on DVD in 1999 and reissued it in 2007 as part of a double feature alongside Craven’s The People Under the Stairs. The film’s first Blu-ray edition was made available by Shout! Factory in September 2015.

Literature

A novel adaptation penned by Randall Boyll was published by Berkley Books in September 1990.

Inspired works

The villain Horace P. Gauge from the 2004 video game The Suffering draws inspiration from this film’s antagonist and storyline.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack includes contributions from prominent musicians such as Alice Cooper, whose track was later covered by Megadeth. It also features original songs by The Dudes of Wrath—a supergroup comprising Paul Stanley (Kiss) and Desmond Child on vocals, Vivian Campbell and Guy Mann-Dude handling guitars, Rudy Sarzo (Whitesnake) on bass, Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe) playing drums, with backing vocals provided by Michael Anthony (Van Halen) and Kane Roberts. The title song was composed by Jean Beauvoir and Desmond Child. The album was released in 1989 under Capitol/SBK Records.