Michael is a young boy living in a typical 1950s suburbanite home... except for his bizarre and horrific nightmares, and continued unease around his parents. Young Michael begins to suspect his parents are cooking more than just hamburgers on the grill outside, but has trouble explaining his fears to his new-found friend Sheila, or the school's social worker.
Direction
Bob Balaban's first feature is sitcom aesthetics weaponized against itself.
Production
Production design that weaponizes 1950s kitsch into uncanny unease.
Acting
Randy Quaid's toothy suburban dad energy will haunt your dreams.
Director
Bob Balaban
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Bob Balaban's directorial debut — yes, the same character actor from Close Encounters and Moonrise Kingdom. He'd only directed stage productions before this.
Released during the late-80s horror satire boom alongside Society and Heathers, it bombed theatrically but found its audience on midnight movie circuits and cable TV.
US
