Alone in the Dark (1982 film)

Alone in the Dark is a 1982 American slasher film directed by Jack Sholder and starring Jack Palance, Donald Pleasence, Martin Landau, and Dwight Schultz. The plot revolves around a psychiatrist, Dr. Dan Potter (Schultz), who becomes the target of four dangerous inmates after a power outage at the mental institution where he works. The inmates, each suffering from distinct and violent delusions, believe Potter is the new doctor responsible for keeping them confined.

The film explores themes of paranoia, societal breakdown, and the blurred lines between sanity and madness. It is characterized by its tense atmosphere, brutal violence, and the unsettling performances of the actors playing the escaped inmates. Alone in the Dark distinguishes itself from some other slasher films of the era by focusing on the psychological aspects of its characters and the chaotic situation that unfolds during the blackout. It received mixed reviews upon release but has since gained a cult following.