Cries in the Night
Performance & Direction: Cries in the Night Review
Last updated: January 30, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Cries in the Night (1980) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Cries in the Night features a noteworthy lineup led by Kay Hawtrey . Supported by the likes of Lesleh Donaldson and Barry Morse , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Cries in the Night
Quick Plot Summary: Cries in the Night is a Horror, Thriller film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Cries in the Night
Ending Breakdown: Cries in the Night attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Cries in the Night reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Cries in the Night?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Cries in the Night
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Cries in the Night Online?
Streaming HubCries in the Night Parents Guide & Age Rating
1980 AdvisoryWondering about Cries in the Night age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Cries in the Night is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.1/10, and global performance metrics, Cries in the Night is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1980 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cries in the Night worth watching?
Cries in the Night is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 5.1/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Cries in the Night parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Cries in the Night identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Cries in the Night?
The total duration of Cries in the Night is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.
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How Cries in the Night Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Cries in the Night
**_Through the woods to Grandmother's house we go_** A young woman (Lesleh Donaldson) ventures to the rural Northeast to stay with her grandmother (Kay Hawtrey) at an old home that used to be a funeral parlor. As they work on morphing it into a bed-and-breakfast, she attends to the needs of the sometimes obnoxious guests while dating a young man. But something really weird is going on, particularly in the locked basement. Shot in the dead of summer, 1979, “Funeral Home” is also known as “Cries in the Night.” It cost $1,400,000 in Canadian dollars, which would be equal to about $5,050,000 today. I point this out because that’s more than enough money to make a competent movie of this sort. Thankfully, it is proficiently made. You buy the people and their situation as a real in the manner of “Squirm” from four years earlier. Speaking of comparisons, it starts out very similar “Friday the 13th,” which is strange since this film started shooting five weeks before that way more popular one. However, it’s mostly a variation on “Psycho” with the classic Little Red Riding Hood setup. It’s similar to Tobe Hooper's “Eaten Alive,” but superior. “Mountaintop Motel Massacre” from three years later was obviously influenced by it. Lesleh is winsome as the brunette protagonist, but she’s strapped with dubious apparel. The sets, décor and costumes all have a curiously aged look. Nevertheless, the flick establishes a nice mood with the rural funeral home milieu, not to mention the nearby quarry, and strangely keeps your interest, plus I like the bit with the black cat. It runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot in the Toronto area in the outskirts of Markham (house), Elora (the town and quarry), Guelph and Lakeshore Studio near the city. GRADE: B-
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
