Skip to main content
Horror Cult Classic

A film crew's horror shoot spirals into deadly reality as fiction and murder blur.

EFFECTS

Making movies can be MURDER!

1980 · 1h 24m · R · Horror / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

Some crew members of a company shooting a horror film begin to suspect that the "killings" in the movie are real, and that they are actually making a "snuff" film.

▶ Watch Now My List

Quick Answer

What is Effects about?

Effects is a 1980 American horror-thriller film directed by Dusty Nelson about a film crew whose slasher movie production turns sinister when they suspect real murders are being committed for a hidden snuff film.

Programmer's Pick

When your director’s idea of 'method acting' involves hidden cameras and possibly real corpses, it’s time to reconsider craft services. Effects peels back the greasy curtain on indie horror shoots—where the only thing cheaper than the budget is the value of human life.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Effects drops viewers into a secluded mountain cabin where a low-budget film crew is working on a slasher movie. As the production grinds on, an unsettling sense of voyeurism and paranoia creeps in, fueled by the director's increasingly secretive behavior. The boundary between staged horror and actual danger grows alarmingly thin, and suspicions mount that the crew may be unwilling participants in something far more sinister. With hidden cameras rolling and the cast's safety in question, the film explores the dark side of inspiration and the perils of blurring fiction with reality. Effects is an unsettling, meta-horror experience that questions who is really in control on a chaotic set.

Details & Specs

Director
Dusty Nelson
Writers
Dusty Nelson, William H. Mooney
Release
1980
Runtime
1h 24m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Horror, Thriller

Why This Matters

Delayed in wide release for over 25 years, this horror film is notable for featuring make-up effects by Tom Savini, a renowned figure in horror special effects, who also appears in the cast.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: Dusty Nelson Writers: Dusty Nelson +1 more
Joseph Pilato Joseph Pilato Dominic SC Susan Chapek Celeste JH John Harrison Lacey Bickel Bernard McKenna Bernard McKenna Barney Debra Gordon Debra Gordon Rita / Mona Tom Savini Tom Savini Nicky Charles Hoyes Charles Hoyes Lobo BB Blay Bahnsen Scratch JL Jackie Lahane Murdered Girl JW Joe Wittkofski TV Director JS John Sutton TV Sound Man DB Dave Balko TV Video Man CS Cindy Sebastiani Dancer BV Bobbi Van Eman Campfire Extra DS Duke Snyder Campfire Extra KS Kim Snyder Campfire Extra DH Doug Harrison Bar Extra DA Dave Andrews Bar Extra RZ Ramona Zini Bar Extra Marty Schiff Marty Schiff Self NA Nancy Allen Bar Extra TT Tom Turich Bar Extra

Explore More

Why Cult

Snuff Film Mystique

The film plays with urban legends about real murders caught on camera, blurring lines between staged and authentic horror.

Film Within a Film

Effects uses its film-making setting to deliver meta-commentary on the horror genre and voyeurism.

Underground Indie Vibe

Shot with a low budget and featuring cult actors, the film exudes gritty, independent energy from start to finish.

Psychotronic Energy

With its psychotronic tag, Effects promises offbeat thrills and an unpredictable atmosphere.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Director's hidden cameras

Threat

Genuine murders disguised as movie scenes

Effect

Film crew unknowingly becomes snuff film victims

Setting

Secluded mountain cabin film set

Questions from the Vault

When was Effects released? +

Effects was released in 1980.

Who directed Effects? +

Effects was directed by Dusty Nelson.

How long is Effects? +

Effects has a runtime of 84 minutes.

What genre is Effects? +

Effects is a horror and thriller film.

Where can I watch Effects? +

You can watch Effects on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

You Might Also Like

See All →