Near Dark
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Where to watch: Not on major US streamers — check digital rental.
How it scared people
The vibe
Nobody says the word vampire once; Bigelow just puts a family of sunburned drifters in stolen cars with the windows blacked out and lets them work roadhouses across the Midwest. The bar massacre — Bill Paxton at maximum, cutting a throat with a spur — is what everyone remembers, and Tangerine Dream scores it like a synth-pop sunset. Half western, better for it.
Near Dark (1987) Parents Guide
| MPA rating | No MPAA certificate (released outside the US system) |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 94 minutes |
| Jump scares | 2/5 — on the gentler side — it favors mood and atmosphere over hard scares |
| Gore | 3/5 — a moderate amount of blood and violence |
| Dread | 2/5 — a mild unease that fades quickly |
| Themes | vampirism; characters cut off from help |
Near Dark carries no MPAA certificate. We score it 2/5 for jump scares, 3/5 for gore and 2/5 for lingering dread, over 94 minutes. Better suited to teens than to younger children.
We rate what the film does — scares, gore, dread — not scene-level content like language or nudity, which we don't track.
Before you press play
- How scary is Near Dark?
- On our intensity scale, Near Dark rates 4/10 for jump scares and 4/10 for dread. It is on the gentler side — it favors mood and atmosphere over hard scares.
- How gory is Near Dark?
- Near Dark rates 6/10 for gore — expect a moderate amount of blood and violence.
- How long is Near Dark?
- Near Dark runs 94 minutes (1h 34m).
- What is Near Dark rated?
- Near Dark has no MPAA certificate — common for films released outside the US. On our scale it rates 4/10 for jump scares, 6/10 for gore and 4/10 for dread.
- Where to watch Near Dark (1987)?
- Near Dark is not on major US subscription streamers right now — look for it on digital rental or purchase (Apple TV, Prime Video, or your usual store).
