Night of the Comet
dir. Thom Eberhardt · 1984
Feature
Post-Apocalyptic
Mood
Comedic / Whimsical
Look
vibrant colors with a retro aesthetic, blending suburban landscapes with sci-fi elements
Structure
episodic with a focus on character interactions and situational comedy
Plot
This often overlooked 80s film's about a pair of sisters, (one the quintessential 'valley girl'), who find themselves - along with a few others - as the sole survivors after a comet's wiped out all terrestrial life. It's funny, clever, well written and acted.
Why watch
Two sisters, one a quintessential valley girl, navigate a post-apocalyptic world after a comet wipes out humanity. As they encounter bizarre survivors and grapple with their new reality, the film blends humor with horror, creating a unique atmosphere that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Cultural context
1980s youth cultureCold War anxietiessuburban alienationfeminist undertones in genre films