After the police go on strike, a nasty gang of despicable hoodlums decide to terrorize the patrons of a gay bar. The bar owner accidentally gets killed, so the gang kill all the witnesses except for Daniel (a solid performance by Terry-David Despres) who manages to escape and seeks refuge in an isolated apartment building. Fortunately, several residents of the apartment building agree to protect Daniel from the gang which proceeds to lay siege to the place.
Directors Paul Donovan and Maura O'Connell relate the gripping story at a constant pace, maintain an appropriately tough'n'gritty take-no-prisoners tone throughout, and generate a good deal of nerve-rattling tension. Moreover, the stark stripped-down simplicity of style used by the filmmakers gives this picture an extra chilling and realistic edge as well as a certain raw immediacy.
The sound acting by the game no-name cast helps a lot: Tom Nardini as noble nice guy Horatio, Brenda Bazinet as the feisty Barbara, Daryl Haney as the resourceful Chester, Jack Blum as the nerdy Patrick, and Keith Knight as the ill-fated Steve. In addition, the villains are truly mean and detestable, with Jeff Pustil as the hateful Goose and Doug Lennox as ruthless ringleader Cabe rating as particular stand-outs. The moments of brutal violence pack a jolting punch. Nicely unsettling final freeze frame, too. An on the money 80's exploitation winner.
Directors Paul Donovan and Maura O'Connell relate the gripping story at a constant pace, maintain an appropriately tough'n'gritty take-no-prisoners tone throughout, and generate a good deal of nerve-rattling tension. Moreover, the stark stripped-down simplicity of style used by the filmmakers gives this picture an extra chilling and realistic edge as well as a certain raw immediacy.
The sound acting by the game no-name cast helps a lot: Tom Nardini as noble nice guy Horatio, Brenda Bazinet as the feisty Barbara, Daryl Haney as the resourceful Chester, Jack Blum as the nerdy Patrick, and Keith Knight as the ill-fated Steve. In addition, the villains are truly mean and detestable, with Jeff Pustil as the hateful Goose and Doug Lennox as ruthless ringleader Cabe rating as particular stand-outs. The moments of brutal violence pack a jolting punch. Nicely unsettling final freeze frame, too. An on the money 80's exploitation winner.