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Horror Cult Classic

Satanic rituals, a family curse, and a masked killer haunt Halloween night.

HACK-O-LANTERN

The power is in the blood.

1988 · 1h 27m · R · Horror · IMDB TMDB

A young boy named Tommy sees his father murdered by his grandfather in a brutal satanic ritual on Halloween night. Years later, as Tommy's grandfather attempts to initiate him into the cult, a mysterious killer begins preying on the people closest to Tommy.

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Quick Answer

What is Hack-O-Lantern about?

Hack-O-Lantern is a 1988 American horror film directed by Jag Mundhra about a young man whose grandfather tries to induct him into a satanic cult, while a masked killer targets those around him.

Programmer's Pick

If your Halloween needs more pentagrams, pitchforks, and questionable family values, Hack-O-Lantern is ready to provide. Jag Mundhra’s entry into the holiday horror canon delivers satanic cults, sleazy nudity, and a rock band for good measure.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Hack-O-Lantern opens with young Tommy traumatized after witnessing his father’s murder at the hands of his grandfather during a Halloween night satanic ritual. Years later, Tommy’s family ties grow even more twisted as his grandfather seeks to draw him deeper into the cult’s dark practices. As Halloween returns, a mysterious masked killer emerges, picking off Tommy’s friends and family one by one. This is holiday horror soaked in ritual, gore, and generational corruption, with devil worship, cult masks, and garish Halloween pageantry setting the stage for a slasher that blends family melodrama with occult menace.

Details & Specs

Director
Jag Mundhra
Writers
Dave Eisenstark, Carla Robinson
Release
1988
Runtime
1h 27m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Horror
Also Known As
Death Mask, The Damning, La nuit d'Halloween, Hack-O-Lantern, Halloween Night, Satans Wiedergeburt, Halloween Night: Satan lebt!, Noite de Halloween

Cast & Crew

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Director: Jag Mundhra Writers: Dave Eisenstark +1 more
Hy Pyke Hy Pyke Grandpa Drindle Gregory Scott Cummins Gregory Scott Cummins Tommy Drindle KG Katina Garner Amanda CB Carla Baron Vera Drindle JB Jeff Brown Roger MP Michael Potts Bill PC Patricia Christie Beth LC Larry Coven Brian BG Bryson Gerard Young Tommy Drindle HL Heidi Lepucki Young Vera Drindle LH Lance Harvey Young Roger Jeanna Fine Jeanna Fine Nora David James Campbell David James Campbell Sarge MG Marya Gant Carrie MM Michael Mincinski Bob TS Tracy Shuttleworth Lou SH Susan Hoffman Lou's Girlfriend JE Jai Emerick Bob's Girlfriend BC Brenda Cedarblade Witch DG D.D. Gonzales Witch JL Jacqueline Lee Kaagen Witch SP Sahida Patel Witch DT Diane Trimble Branding Witch / Party Stripper AS Andleib Seth Trick-or-Treater MC Milan Chawla Trick-or-Treater MM Michael Maye Trick-or-Treater MA Mark A. Pecaro Trick-or-Treater JR Justin Rajendra Trick-or-Treater MB Michelle Brooks Kali DL D.C. La Croix Dream Band M Mercenaries Party Band CH Charles Hyatt Cowboy #1 JA Jeff Amberg Cowboy #2 WH Wayne Harvey Gangster MS Mina Sanjo Geisha BT Bill Tucker Party Comedian GS Gyan Singh Sword Warrior RP Ramesh Pandey Spaceman CW Chandra Williams Caribbean Girl DG Dalika Gokhley Cat Girl RS Regina Starr Snake Dancer

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Why Cult

Satanic Family Drama

Few slashers fuse generational trauma and devil worship quite like Tommy’s story of grandfatherly indoctrination and cult murder.

Masked Halloween Killer

A mysterious masked murderer stalks the cast, adding a classic slasher body count to the Halloween festivities.

Cult Rituals and Gore

Expect satanic rituals, graveyard ceremonies, and splatter—plus enough pumpkins and pitchforks to satisfy any cult horror enthusiast.

Gratuitous Nudity

Unapologetic in its exploitation roots, the film features multiple nude scenes and a notorious bathtub sequence.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Grandfather's satanic ritual

Threat

Masked killer and satanic cult

Effect

Targets and kills Tommy's friends and family

Setting

Small-town Halloween night

Questions from the Vault

When was Hack-O-Lantern released? +

Hack-O-Lantern was released in 1988.

Who directed Hack-O-Lantern? +

Jag Mundhra directed Hack-O-Lantern.

How long is Hack-O-Lantern? +

Hack-O-Lantern has a runtime of 87 minutes.

What genre is Hack-O-Lantern? +

Hack-O-Lantern is a horror film.

Where can I watch Hack-O-Lantern? +

Hack-O-Lantern is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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