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Drama Cult Classic

A housewife haunted by trauma blurs the line between memory and erotic fantasy.

NIGHT GAMES

After Bardot, Deneuve and Fonda, Roger Vadim unveils Cindy Pickett - a new kind of star to play a new kind of woman... the woman of the 80's

1980 · 1h 40m · R · Drama · IMDB TMDB

A Californian housewife is terrified of having sex because of a past assault. When this phobia threatens to destroy her marriage, she takes refuge in a series of erotic fantasies about a masked man. But is it really all just a fantasy?

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Quick Answer

What is Night Games about?

Night Games is a 1980 France/USA drama film directed by Roger Vadim about a Californian housewife whose fear of sex, rooted in a past assault, strains her marriage and leads her into erotic fantasies involving a masked man.

Programmer's Pick

Roger Vadim serves up a moody psychosexual drama where trauma and fantasy intertwine, and Cindy Pickett delivers a complex portrait of a woman trapped between the past and her own desires. It’s a cerebral, sensual ride—definitely not your standard marital crisis fare.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Night Games explores the psychological aftermath of trauma through the eyes of Valerie St. John, a Californian housewife who is paralyzed by her fear of sexual intimacy following a past assault. As this deep-seated phobia begins to erode her marriage, Valerie seeks escape in a series of vivid and erotic fantasies centered around a mysterious masked man. The film delves into the intersection of memory, trauma, and desire, raising questions about what is real and what is imagined. Roger Vadim’s direction brings a provocative edge to this intimate drama, balancing psychological tension with sensual undertones as Valerie struggles to reclaim control over her life and relationships.

Details & Specs

Director
Roger Vadim
Writers
Barth Jules Sussman, Clarke Reynolds, Anton Diether
Release
1980
Runtime
1h 40m
Country
France, United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Drama
Also Known As
Giochi nel buio, Jeux érotiques de nuit

Why This Matters

Directed by Roger Vadim, Night Games is an example of the erotic thriller genre from 1980, notable for its multiple home video releases with differing runtimes, reflecting changes in distribution formats over the decade.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Roger Vadim Writers: Barth Jules Sussman +2 more
Cindy Pickett Cindy Pickett Valerie St. John Barry Primus Barry Primus Jason St. John Joanna Cassidy Joanna Cassidy Julie Miller Paul Jenkins Paul Jenkins Sean Daniels Gene Davis Gene Davis Timothy MH Mark Hanks The Phantom JF Juliet Fabriga Alicia CP Clem Persons Jun CR Carla Reynolds Valerie at 13 RK Rene Knecht Blake PM Pamela Mellish Sandra WF Walt Faggerstrom Rapist GW George Weber Policeman BM Bob Mallett Policeman CR Clarke Reynolds Medavoy

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Why Cult

Psychosexual Drama

Night Games foregrounds the psychological toll of trauma, blending it with erotic fantasy in a way that’s both intimate and unsettling.

Vadim Direction

Directed by Roger Vadim, the film brings a European sensibility and provocative edge to its American setting.

Trauma, Memory, Fantasy

The story blurs the line between painful memory and erotic imagination, challenging viewers to question what’s real.

Bold Female Lead

Cindy Pickett anchors the film with a raw, vulnerable performance as Valerie, a woman confronting her deepest fears.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Night Games released? +

Night Games was released in 1980.

Who directed Night Games? +

Night Games was directed by Roger Vadim.

How long is Night Games? +

Night Games has a runtime of 100 minutes.

What genre is Night Games? +

Night Games is a drama.

Where can I watch Night Games? +

Night Games is available to watch on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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