20 Films That Prove The 1990s Was The Worst Decade For Horror

Joss Whedon's horror heroine may have revolutionised TV by the late 1990s, but her introduction was considerably less auspicious. This 1992 film (the second, and to date last film from director Fran Rubel Kuzui) took a dynamite concept, yet wound up delivering little more than a damp squib.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of those films that proves intensely frustrating, because so much about it promises something better. Kristy Swanson is fine casting as the bubblehead cheerleader alarmed to learn she is the chosen one destined to protect the world from vampires, and she has some world-class support with Donald Sutherland as her new teacher, and Rutger Hauer as the master vampire she must do battle with.

Sadly, the movie collapses in on itself almost immediately thanks to a complete lack of pacing and atmosphere, with both the comedy and the action scenes staggering in their ineptitude, and no scares whatsoever.

Paul Reubens and David Arquette make valiant efforts in their light relief vamp roles, but Sutherland and Hauer just look bored, whilst most of the younger actors get little chance to shine; it's unlikely that either Hilary Swank or Ben Affleck, both of whom make an early appearance, consider the film a particular career highlight.