Black Roses 1988
5.2 / 10
Black Roses
Teens in a small conservative town are turned into evil demons thanks to the music of the titular heavy metal band.
Teens in a small conservative town are turned into evil demons thanks to the music of the titular heavy metal band.
Videos & Photos
All 1 Videos & 27 Photos
cast
Full Cast & Crew
... Matthew Moorhouse
... Mayor Farnsworth
... Vinny Apache
... Mrs. Miller
... Damian
... Johnny Pratt / Demon Guitarist
User reviews
See All 1 Reviews17 Sep 2022 by Wuchak
**_What can parents do when the “devil’s music” comes to town… literally?_** The rising band “Black Roses” hasn’t played out beyond the studio and so try-out their live performance in a small town in the Northeast for several shows. An English teacher (John Martin) starts to notice how the band has a negative influence upon his students and eventually suspects something sinister is going on. "Black Roses" (1988) mixes horror and heavy metal in the mold of “Trick or Treat” (1986) and “Shock ’Em Dead” (1991). A year earlier the director’s previous movie was the similar “Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare” featuring Jon Mikl Thor, but “Black Roses” is way more effective because it had nine times the budget. “Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare” only cost $53,000 and is unsurprisingly marred by tedious padding, weak writing and characters that aren’t fleshed out. This one’s way better because it had the funds to work out the kinks (yet it’s still very low-budget at $450,000). The school teacher makes for a good protagonist because he genuinely cares about his students and relates to their perspective. At first, it is argued that 80’s metal is just the current musical fad and is no more of a negative influence than Elvis and the Beatles were in prior generations in which concerned parents objected to them as well. But then the stereotype that metal is the “devil’s music” is hammered home. Blonde Patricia Strelioff stands out on the female front as jaw-dropping Janey, but there’s also Robin Stewart (Tina) and Karen Planden (Julie). On the other side of the gender spectrum Frank Dietz plays Johnny, but he looks closer to 33 than 17-18. A “super group” of sorts was amassed for the band Black Roses, consisting of Mark Free (vocals), Mick Sweda (lead guitar), Alex Masi (rhythm guitar), Carmine Appice (drums), Chuck Wright (bass guitar) and Elliot Solomon (keyboards). Four of the songs on the soundtrack are by these guys: "Dance on Fire,” "Soldiers of the Night,” "Rock Invasion" and "Paradise (We're on Our Way)." The soundtrack is balanced out by six cuts from other acts, including Lizzy Borden (“Me Against the World”), King Kobra (“Take It Off”) and a nice ‘n’ heavy number by Hallow’s Eve (“D.I.E.”). The music spans the spectrum of pop metal to extreme metal as it existed in 1987 when the film was shot. While this isn’t quite on the level of “Trick or Treat” or “Shock ’Em Dead,” it’s certainly entertaining enough if you’re in the mood for colorful 80’s horror mixed with 80’s metal. It’s superior to “Rocktober Blood” (1984) and, especially, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare” (yet “Rocktober Blood” must be given props for being the first flick of this kind). The movie runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Dundas, Ontario, with the theater sequence done in nearby Hamilton, both a half hour drive southwest of Toronto. GRADE: B-/B
Directors:
Release Date:
Nov 01, 1988 (Canada,United States)
Run Time:
1hr 30`
MMPA Rating:
R
Original Language:
English
Production Countries:
Canada,United States
Status:
Released
Plot Keywords:
Related Movies To
Black Roses
**_What can parents do when the “devil’s music” comes to town… literally?_** The rising band “Black Roses” hasn’t played out beyond the studio and so try-out their live performance in a small town in the Northeast for several shows. An English teacher (John Martin) starts to notice how the band has a negative influence upon his students and eventually suspects something sinister is going on. "Black Roses" (1988) mixes horror and heavy metal in the mold of “Trick or Treat” (1986) and “Shock ’Em Dead” (1991). A year earlier the director’s previous movie was the similar “Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare” featuring Jon Mikl Thor, but “Black Roses” is way more effective because it had nine times the budget. “Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare” only cost $53,000 and is unsurprisingly marred by tedious padding, weak writing and characters that aren’t fleshed out. This one’s way better because it had the funds to work out the kinks (yet it’s still very low-budget at $450,000). The school teacher makes for a good protagonist because he genuinely cares about his students and relates to their perspective. At first, it is argued that 80’s metal is just the current musical fad and is no more of a negative influence than Elvis and the Beatles were in prior generations in which concerned parents objected to them as well. But then the stereotype that metal is the “devil’s music” is hammered home. Blonde Patricia Strelioff stands out on the female front as jaw-dropping Janey, but there’s also Robin Stewart (Tina) and Karen Planden (Julie). On the other side of the gender spectrum Frank Dietz plays Johnny, but he looks closer to 33 than 17-18. A “super group” of sorts was amassed for the band Black Roses, consisting of Mark Free (vocals), Mick Sweda (lead guitar), Alex Masi (rhythm guitar), Carmine Appice (drums), Chuck Wright (bass guitar) and Elliot Solomon (keyboards). Four of the songs on the soundtrack are by these guys: "Dance on Fire,” "Soldiers of the Night,” "Rock Invasion" and "Paradise (We're on Our Way)." The soundtrack is balanced out by six cuts from other acts, including Lizzy Borden (“Me Against the World”), King Kobra (“Take It Off”) and a nice ‘n’ heavy number by Hallow’s Eve (“D.I.E.”). The music spans the spectrum of pop metal to extreme metal as it existed in 1987 when the film was shot. While this isn’t quite on the level of “Trick or Treat” or “Shock ’Em Dead,” it’s certainly entertaining enough if you’re in the mood for colorful 80’s horror mixed with 80’s metal. It’s superior to “Rocktober Blood” (1984) and, especially, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare” (yet “Rocktober Blood” must be given props for being the first flick of this kind). The movie runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Dundas, Ontario, with the theater sequence done in nearby Hamilton, both a half hour drive southwest of Toronto. GRADE: B-/B
Cast & Crew of
Black Roses
Directors & Credit Writers
... Director
Cast
... Matthew Moorhouse
... Mayor Farnsworth
... Vinny Apache
... Mrs. Miller
... Damian
... Johnny Pratt / Demon Guitarist
... Priscilla Farnsworth
... Janey Miller
... Tony's Dad
... Julie's Step-dad
... Tina
... Moorhouse's Class Student
Produced By
Related Movies To
Black Roses
Final Destination Bloodlines (2025)
0 /10
Plagued by a violent recurring nightmare, college student Stefanie heads home to track down the one person who might be able to break the cycle and save her family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all.
Run Time: 1hr 50` . MMPA: R . Release: 14 May 2025
Director: Aimee Scott , Emely Martin , Carl Mason
Producer: Rich Delia , Brodi-Jo Scalise , Devon Downie
Stars: Tony Todd , Melissa Barrera , Anna Lore , Renata Vaca , Teo Briones , Quintessa Swindell
The Cult (2024)
0 /10
When a young woman relocates to a small town in Europe, she notices the place has something weird. As time goes by, she starts to fear for her life. Based on actual events and in the book the day she became plastic.
Run Time: 1hr 30` . MMPA: . Release: 01 Jun 2024
Director: Alexandre Alonso
Producer:
Stars:
KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
0 /10
When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey aren't selling out stadiums, they're using their secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats.
Run Time: 1hr 36` . MMPA: PG . Release: 20 Jun 2025
Director: Sean Tadlock , Chris Appelhans , Elizabeth Schantz
Producer: Su Kim , Quan Brice , Libby Thomas Dickey
Stars: Rolando Davila-Beltran , Arden Cho , May Hong , Ji-young Yoo , Ahn Hyo-seop , Yunjin Kim
28 Years Later (2025)
0 /10
Twenty-eight years since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one member departs on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.
Run Time: 1hr 55` . MMPA: R . Release: 18 Jun 2025
Director: Sarah Mulberge , Lucy Hatherley , Danny Boyle
Producer: Bryony Chaplin , Rebecca Farhall , Cillian Murphy
Stars: Cillian Murphy , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Jodie Comer , Charlie Hunnam , Jack O'Connell , Ralph Fiennes
Santa Isn't Real (2023)
0 /10
After suffering a brutal attack on Christmas Eve, Nikki struggles to convince her friends that the assailant was none other than Ol' Kris Kringle. When Santa returns to terrorize the group in their remote cabin the next Christmas, Nikki and her friends must overcome disbelief as they fight to stay alive.
Run Time: 1hr 16` . MMPA: R . Release: 08 Dec 2023
Director: Zac Locke
Producer: Jordan Michaud-Scorza
Stars: Scarlett Sperduto , Kaya Coleman , Dana Millican , Cissy Ly , Michelle Damis , William Earl Ray
Crypto Legacy (2020)
2.5 /10
Troy Morgan doesn't like his family's farm. The place creeps him out. After spotting some strange lights one evening, Troy and his little sister Carrie go to investigate the creepy barn.
Run Time: 1hr 11` . MMPA: . Release: 01 Oct 2020
Director: Charles Townsend
Producer: Charles Townsend
Stars: Sheri Gill Dixon , Brian Kunz , Brandon Young , Nathaniel Barton , Linzi Gray , Thalia Reynolds
Conjuring the Cult (2024)
0 /10
After discovering his blood-soaked daughter dead in the bathtub, David Bryson attends a self-help group to help save him from his ghostly nightmares. But when a group of mysterious cult-like women offer to help him resurrect his daughter. David's choices will not just decide his fate... but the fate of his dead daughter's SOUL.
Run Time: 1hr 33` . MMPA: . Release: 01 Oct 2024
Director: Calvin Morie McCarthy
Producer:
Stars: Neil Green , Elissa Dowling , Chynna Rae Shurts , BJ Mezek , Jason Brooks , Brad Littlefield
The Mount 2 (2023)
4 /10
A year after the incident at the Mount, the police are still investigating the murders of Philomena and Caroline. The Mount has been cordoned off by the police. However, on Halloween night, a group of teenagers break in. They plan on holding a wedding between friends, conducted by a rather odd character, however, little did they know some unexpected guests would show up to crash the party.
Run Time: 1hr 21` . MMPA: . Release: 12 May 2023
Director: Ian Charles Serra , Isaac Barrao
Producer:
Stars: Niall Serra , Esther Roiz , Mia Sen , Christina Linares , Sam Bush , Tony Loddo
Possessions (2024)
0 /10
Follows a father who seeks a fresh start with his son after the loss of his wife, and purchased a storage unit facility sight unseen, but secrets buried behind the metal doors become a parent's worst nightmare.
Run Time: 1hr 30` . MMPA: . Release: 12 Apr 2024
Director: Brent Cote
Producer: Ben Cornwell , Jordan Foley
Stars: Clive Standen , Yeardley Smith , Mason Wells , K.C. Clyde , Reynada Robinson , Dustin Wilson
Remnant (2024)
0 /10
Grace is a young woman whose life has been turned upside down by tragedy. When she returns home to the family farm to rebuild her shattered life, her world begins to unravel as a series of strange events haunt her, pushing Grace to the edge of madness. A mysterious figure lurks in the shadows and a ghostly woman appears in the darkness of night. Is Grace imagining these apparitions, or are they a warning of a nightmare still to come?
Run Time: 1hr 52` . MMPA: . Release: 30 Jun 2024
Director: Mike Horan
Producer:
Stars: Nicole Pritchard , Shaun Robert Foley , Tsu Shan Chambers , Remi Webster , Megan Bell , Martin Ashley Jones
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
0 /10
While three of the fiercest warriors in human history—a Viking raider, a ninja in feudal Japan, and a WWII pilot—are killers in their own right, they are merely prey for their new opponent: the ultimate killer of killers.
Run Time: 1hr 25` . MMPA: R . Release: 05 Jun 2025
Director: Dan Trachtenberg , Joshua Wassung
Producer: Jessica Sherman , John Thomas , Lawrence Gordon
Stars: Lindsay LaVanchy , Louis Ozawa , Rick Gonzalez , Michael Biehn , Doug Cockle , Damien C. Haas
The Meg (2018)
5.6 /10
A deep sea submersible pilot revisits his past fears in the Mariana Trench, and accidentally unleashes the seventy foot ancestor of the Great White Shark believed to be extinct.
Run Time: 1hr 53` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 09 Aug 2018
Director: Laura Hutton , Maxine Zhang , Hamish McFarlane
Producer: Kenneth Atchity , Peta Sinclair , Tom Hern
Stars: Jason Statham , Li Bingbing , Rainn Wilson , Cliff Curtis , Ruby Rose , Jessica McNamee