Movie Review: Night of the Comet (1984)

★★★★★

I went in with low expectations, but Night of the Comet surprised me with it's fun, eerie, and smarter than it looks story line.

Rex B.

New Jersey

If there’s one 1980s sci-fi horror film that refuses to be neatly categorized, it’s Night of the Comet (1984). Written and directed by Thom Eberhardt, this post-apocalyptic blend of zombie horror, teen comedy, and satirical sci-fi has gained cult status over the years and for good reason. At BoxReview.com, we don’t just rewatch films, we reevaluate them. And on revisiting Night of the Comet, it becomes clear that this isn’t just a product of its time. It’s a surprisingly layered, genre-blending oddity that still feels fresh in all the right ways.

The Premise: Apocalypse in Lip Gloss and Leg Warmers

The setup is pure B-movie brilliance. Earth is about to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event: a comet passing closer than any in 65 million years. Unfortunately, instead of being a wonder of the cosmos, the comet’s trail reduces most of humanity to either piles of red dust or brain-rotted zombies. Caught in the aftermath are two teenage sisters, Reggie (Catherine Mary Stewart) and Sam (Kelli Maroney), who survive due to a night spent in steel-lined shelters. What follows is part horror movie, part sci-fi survival tale, and part Valley Girl adventure with shopping montages, machine guns, and mutant scientists in tow.

What Most Reviews Miss: The Feminist Undertone

Many mainstream movie reviews over the years have focused on Night of the Comet’s campy tone and 80s aesthetic, but at Box Review, we believe one of the film’s most progressive elements is how it handles gender. Reggie and Sam are not only the leads, they’re capable, funny, and resilient, without ever losing their youthful personalities.

In an era when female protagonists in horror were often reduced to scream queens or final girls, the Night of the Comet movie broke the mold. These sisters don’t just survive, they strategize, they adapt, and they’re not afraid to take control. Their dialogue is witty, their chemistry believable, and their decisions grounded, even when the world around them isn’t.

It’s rare to find a post-apocalyptic film even today that doesn’t rely on a male savior or turn its female leads into caricatures. This film lets its protagonists be teenagers and heroes at the same time.

The Tone: Genre-Bending at Its Finest

At BoxReview.com, we’re particularly fascinated by films that refuse to fit neatly into a single genre. Night of the Comet isn’t just a zombie film. It’s also a coming-of-age movie, a satirical jab at consumerism, and a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of loneliness after societal collapse. Thom Eberhardt manages to maintain a consistent tone, even as the film shifts from mall hijinks to gunfights to eerie government laboratories.

The film’s comedic touches, especially the shopping spree sequence set to a perfectly dated 80s soundtrack, don’t detract from the underlying sense of isolation and danger. Instead, they provide a counterbalance that makes the film’s darker moments hit harder.

The Visuals: A Neon Apocalypse

One of the most striking aspects of the Night of the Comet movie is its look. The film bathes Los Angeles in an unnatural red-orange glow, creating a dreamlike, end-of-the-world aesthetic that’s both unsettling and beautiful. Streets are empty, the sky is strange, and danger lurks behind every locked door.

We appreciate low-budget films that maximize atmosphere over spectacle, and Night of the Comet is a prime example. The cinematography cleverly masks budgetary limitations, creating a hauntingly quiet world that feels far more expansive than it actually is.

The Villains You Don’t Expect

While zombies do make an appearance, they’re not the film’s primary threat. In a twist often overlooked in most Night of the Comet movie reviews, the true antagonists turn out to be a group of surviving scientists. While initially presenting themselves as saviors, they harbor a darker agenda, one that involves using uninfected survivors as guinea pigs to save themselves.

This subplot introduces a surprising ethical layer to the story: who deserves to survive when civilization collapses? The idea that the biggest threat isn’t the apocalypse itself, but those clinging to power in its aftermath, gives the film a resonance that’s still relevant today.

Performances That Elevate the Material

Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney carry the film with an ease that’s rarely praised enough. Their chemistry feels authentic, and both actresses strike a perfect balance between humor and gravitas. These aren’t your typical teen movie performances; they bring depth to roles that could have easily been played for laughs alone.

Supporting performances, particularly from Geoffrey Lewis as a mysterious scientist and Mary Woronov as a no-nonsense lab worker, round out the film’s cast with just the right dose of creepy authority.

Legacy and Influence

We often revisit cult classics to assess their cultural footprint. Night of the Comet may not have had a massive theatrical impact upon release, but its influence is undeniable. The film predates and arguably inspires elements of later works like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Shaun of the Dead, and even Zombieland. It’s one of the earliest examples of mixing horror with teen-centered comedy without diminishing either.

Its recent resurgence on streaming platforms and collector Blu-rays speaks volumes about its staying power. And as more viewers rediscover the film, its clever writing, feminist leanings, and stylistic flourishes are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

Final Verdict

Night of the Comet (1984) is more than a nostalgic romp; it’s a bold, genre-defying film that takes risks and largely succeeds. With charismatic leads, eerie visuals, and a sharp script, it stands out among 1980s sci-fi horror entries as one of the most original and entertaining.

Whether you're a fan of zombie films, post-apocalyptic survival stories, or just quirky 80s cinema with heart, this is a must-watch. And if you’re looking for movie reviews that go beyond the surface, this film proves just how rewarding it can be to dig deeper.