The Atkins Files Part 1: '80s Horror

Image courtesy of Tri-Star Pictures

The man.  The myth.  The womanizing legend.  Tom Atkins is a staple of 80's American cinema, particularly the horror genre.  Over the years, his legend has grown in the form of memes, apparel, and gifs, while an undercurrent of appreciation among film lovers has formed an almost (lovingly) cult-like following of the actor's portfolio.  This series of articles will delve into his filmography, with each piece focusing on different decades and genres.  What follows are three of his most famous roles from 1980’s horror films.  

Image Courtesy of AVCO Embassy Pictures

The Fog (1980)

One of John Carpenter's most underrated films, The Fog tells the story of murderous spirits who return to a small coastal Californian town to seek revenge for their deaths at the hands of the town's forefathers.  Atkins plays local everyman Nick Castle.  While the film creates an unrelenting vibe of discomfort while flirting with notions such as revenge and dark misdeeds of the past, The Fog is undeniably a mood piece and Castle's grounded approach to the material is the perfect accoutrement.  His chemistry with Jaime Lee Curtis is playful and organic, as the blue collar hero and the hitchhiking flower girl form the connective thread throughout much of the narrative.  

 

Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) 

Arguably one of the best performances of Atkin's legendary career, Halloween III is the most intriguing entry in the entire franchise, and the only one to not feature masked killer Michael Myers.  A sinister conspiracy is underway in a (another) quiet Californian town. At the center is a myserious toy company and a product line of costume masks.  On the peripheral is Atkins' Dr. Callis, a hard drinking divorcee who is drawn into the horror while simultaneously beginning a relationship with a recent murder victim's daughter.  Perhaps most memorable for its unforgettable conclusion, Atkins' outright terror and madness are so visceral they will stay with the viewer long after the chilling conclusion.

Image Courtesy of Tri-Star Pictures

Night of the Creeps (1986)

A hybrid sci-fi horror comedy, Ted Dekker's cult classic tells the story of alien slugs that fall to earth and possess humans, turning them into zombie-like creatures who seek to infect other living beings. Atkin's unforgettable performance as Detective Ray Cameron is one of the most widely quoted characters in 80's cult cinema.  "Thrill me." is not only Cameron's signature, it is his shield, his armor against the ghosts of the past that haunt his every step.  Atkins' formidable chops are on display in every scene, bringing an undercurrent of severity to the gross out comedic romp, which elevates a forgettable genre exercise to cult perfection.

 

--Kyle Jonathan