The Prowler (1981)
A masked killer stalks a small-town graduation dance in this landmark slasher featuring Tom Savini's legendary practical effects work.
The Prowler - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Prowler
- Release Year: 1981
- Directed by: Joseph Zito
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 6, 1981 (United States - R), November 10, 1981 (United Kingdom), January 1, 1982 (Spain - 18)
- Alternative Titles: I dolofonia tis Rosemary (GR), O Assassino da Rosa (PT), El asesino de Rosemary (ES), Quem Matou Rosemary (BR), Pitchfork Massacre (US), Rosemary's Killer (BE), The Prowler - Forke des Todes (DE), Rosemaryn murhaaja (FI)
- Production Companies: Graduation, Carolco Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Prowler - Plot
Thirty years after a murder on the night of Avalon Bay's graduation dance, the sleepy town's teens meet grisly ends at the hands of a prowler once thought to be a jilted soldier home from war.
The Prowler - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see why this 1981 slasher still unnerves audiences today:
If you think you're safe... you're DEAD wrong!
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The Prowler - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Joseph Zito
Main Cast
- Vicky Dawson
- Christopher Goutman
- Lawrence Tierney
- Farley Granger
- Cindy Weintraub
- Lisa Dunsheath
- David Sederholm
- Bill Nunnery
- Thom Bray
- Diane Rode
Writers
- Glenn Leopold
- Neal Barbera
Producers
- Joseph Zito
- David Streit
The Prowler - FAQs
Where can you stream The Prowler (1981)?
The Prowler (1981) is available to stream on Shudder, Amazon Prime Video, Philo, and Tubi TV (with ads). It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Fandango at Home Free and Night Flight Plus also carry the film.
Is The Prowler based on a true story?
The Prowler is not based on a specific true story. It is an original slasher film set in a fictional New Jersey town called Avalon Bay. The premise of a jilted soldier returning to commit murders draws on classic horror archetypes rather than any documented real-world events.
What is The Prowler (1981) about?
The Prowler follows a small town haunted by an unsolved graduation night double murder from 1945. When the annual dance resumes thirty years later, a killer in military gear begins slaughtering students. The film is celebrated for Tom Savini's extraordinarily graphic practical special effects.
Who are the main actors in The Prowler?
The Prowler stars Vicky Dawson as Pam MacDonald and Christopher Goutman as Deputy Mark London. Veteran actors Farley Granger and Lawrence Tierney appear in supporting roles as Sheriff Fraser and Major Chatham respectively. Cindy Weintraub, Lisa Dunsheath, and Thom Bray round out the principal cast.
Who did the special effects in The Prowler?
Tom Savini created the practical gore effects for The Prowler, widely regarded as some of the finest work of his career. The film features hyper-realistic kills — including a pitchfork impalement and a pool stabbing — that have made it a benchmark title in slasher film history.
Who directed The Prowler and who wrote it?
The Prowler was directed by Joseph Zito, who later helmed Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984). The screenplay was written by Glenn Leopold and Neal Barbera. The film was produced by Zito alongside David Streit, with music composed by Richard Einhorn.
What is the age rating and runtime of The Prowler?
The Prowler is rated R by the MPA for strong graphic violence and gore. The film runs approximately 89 minutes. Its intense practical effects sequences were so extreme that some prints were reportedly trimmed for certain markets, making uncut versions prized among horror collectors.
What are similar movies to The Prowler (1981)?
Fans of The Prowler often enjoy Friday the 13th (1980), The Final Terror (1983), and Bloody Birthday (1981). The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976) and Mother's Day (1980) share a similar rural-horror atmosphere. Scream 2 (1997) and Bereavement (2010) are also frequently recommended alongside it.
More About The Prowler
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