--- title: "Near Dark: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/near-dark/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/near-dark" critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Near Dark (1987): what the critics said Critics' score 78 from 10 reviews: 9 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Near Dark, with praise clustering around Kathryn Bigelow’s direction and her reworking of vampire mythology through westerns, road films and Southern Gothic. The reviews repeatedly single out the sun-baked setting, haunting imagery and atmosphere of dread. Several also admire the force of the violence, while the dreamy visual style and atmospheric score draw praise for making the horror seductive as well as frightening. Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen receive particular attention for their performances. The spread is largely positive, with reservations about uneven execution rather than the film’s approach to horror. The Los Angeles Times finds it erratic, though still forceful, passionate and capable of producing shivers. /Film points to dated dialogue and other flaws but remains persuaded by the atmosphere and cast. These qualified responses sit alongside more enthusiastic assessments; there is little evidence of a substantial critical split. ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Nathan regards the film as a superior, unusually memorable vampire movie. He praises Bigelow’s atmospheric reinvention of vampire mythology, especially its bleak, sun-baked setting. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/empire-essay-near-dark-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The Guardian’s verdict is strongly positive, praising the film as a masterly revival of horror. It singles out Bigelow’s stylish fusion of vampire cinema and Southern Gothic, along with the haunting effects. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/95596/near-dark) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. The review calls the film one of the best vampire movies ever made. It praises Bigelow’s visually striking blend of road movie, western and horror, and its genuinely frightening story. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-6c1mxo/near-dark/) ## Time Out — NF Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). The available description presents the film as a strong, refreshing take on vampire stories. It singles out the film’s stripping away of Gothic trappings in favor of a new approach to the mythology. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/near-dark) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1986. The review is positive, presenting the film as a fresh and stylish take on vampire stories. It especially praises Kathryn Bigelow’s hard-edged, violent action direction. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1986/film/reviews/near-dark-1200427176/) ## Los Angeles Times — MICHAEL WILMINGTON Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 9 October 1987. Wilmington finds the film erratic but forceful and passionate, with enough beauty to raise honest shivers. He particularly praises Bigelow’s haunting visual imagery and the atmosphere of dread she creates. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-09-ca-8552-story.html) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 4 October 1987. The URL identifies a review of Near Dark, but the article text is inaccessible. Its verdict and specific praise or criticism therefore cannot be determined. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/04/movies/film-near-dark-a-tale-of-vampires-on-the-road.html) ## Digital Spy — Jamie Graham Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 21 February 2014. The review regards Near Dark as a lasting highlight of Kathryn Bigelow’s career and a carefully recalibrated vampire film. It singles out the film’s dreamy visual style, atmospheric score and seductive mood for praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/re-viewed/a551778/re-viewed-kathryn-bigelows-vampire-gem-near-dark/) ## /Film — Akos Peterbencze Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2025. The critic finds Near Dark a compelling, entertaining horror gem despite dated dialogue and flaws. Bigelow’s atmospheric blend of horror and Western elements, along with standout performances from Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen, earns particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1976197/near-dark-first-watch-thoughts/) ## The Ringer — Haley Mlotek Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 August 2017. Mlotek presents Near Dark as Bigelow’s defining genre film and a sharp expression of her recurring interest in power and ambivalence. She especially praises the bar massacre for making the film’s ideas about power vivid through its fast, frenetic violence. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2017/08/03/movies/men-monsters-or-both) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/near-dark.md