Over thirty years ago, I was introduced to Clive Barker's Nightbreed on opening day at a small movie theater on Long Island. Because I was too young to go alone (and I needed a ride), my mother accompanied me, resulting in us being the only two people there. When you go into a theater, you expect to be taken away to a magical place for a short period of time, which is exactly what this film did.

I had already been exposed to a large number of horror films featuring serial killers, possessed homes, and aliens. None of them affected me quite like this film. 

To this very day, Nightbreed still ranks #1 on my list.

Every horror film that I had seen prior to Nightbreed featured monsters that were evil and committed unspeakable acts on people of all ages. In Nightbreed, the roles are reversed. While we were introduced to hideous monsters with unbelievable capabilities, it turns out that humans are the real monsters.

To be able to fly, to be smoke, or a wolf? To know the night and live in it forever? That's not so bad. You call us 'monsters,' but when you dream, you dream of flying, and changing, and living without death.

The film blesses us with strong performances from both Craig Sheffer and David Cronenberg (yes, that David Cronenberg), the latter whose character, Dr. Philip K. Decker, is a vicious, human monster who is hellbent on destroying what he will never be. Throw in a love story, a brief history about Midian and how it came to be, and a to-the-death match in an underground world, this film is everything. While I'm a fan of the original theatrical cut, The Cabal Cut does offer a more in-depth look into the film's full vision (cut), including additional scenes and deaths, so I do suggest checking that version as well.

In addition, Nightbreed is a superhero film. It's, as I read somewhere, the "X-Men of Monsters".

Overall, if you're either looking for a horror film that features a stellar performance from David Cronenberg or a film where you root for the monsters, Nightbreed is for you.