10 Greatest Use Of Practical SFX In Horror Movies

Joel Schmacher’s 1987 movie is considered by many to be the quintessential vampire film of the eighties, and one of the finest films of the sub-genre, period. The Lost Boys was created with the MTV generation in mind, with a cast of trendy young characters and a soundtrack that would appeal to the teenage and young adult market. The practical effects are highly memorable, subtly used at first but becoming more prominent as the movie progresses.

In-fact when the first scene of true horror arrives it is quite shocking, as protagonist Michael (Jason Patric), who has been tricked into drinking the blood of the vampire gang leader David (Kiefer Sutherland), is taken to a midnight beach party where the guests are attacked and fed on by the creatures. We see David sink his teeth into the head of one reveller, before we see the highly realistic vampire make-up for the first time.

But where the effects in the movie really come to life are in the final act, as the vampire gang are destroyed in highly imaginative ways. One is thrown into a bath full of holy water, and we see him thrashing around as if the liquid is boiling, turning red with blood as his skin bubbles and his body melts down to the skeleton. Another is killed by being shot through the heart with an arrow, impaling him on to a stereo which blasts out music as electricity takes over his body in a shower of sparks, whilst his head explodes.