Fade to Black (1980)

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Movie Info & Cast

Release Date:

Oct 14, 1980

Runtime:

1hr 42m

Synopsis

A shy, lonely film buff embarks on a killing spree against those who browbeat and betray him, all the while stalking his idol, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.2
20.8K
13.4K
6.0K
RATINGS 55 FANS
3.2
  • Jun 24, 2021

    A meta-horror masterpiece where obsession and identity collide—one bad day and boom, you’re the next to lose it in cinematic chaos. Could happen to any of us here in Letterboxd.

    548 Likes
    CinemaVoid 🏴‍☠️
    CinemaVoid 🏴‍☠️
    Dec 11, 2017

    Listen, I related to the main character of this way too much. WAY TOO MUCH. I mean, aside from the psychotic tendencies, of course. Well, most of them, anyway. A movie-obsessed outsider lands a dream date with a Marilyn Monroe lookalike but, when she stands him up, he…

    310 Likes
    Tony the Terror
    Tony the Terror
    Oct 6, 2020

    They made a horror film about how the temptations of the cinema poisons lonely men and leads to brutal but glamorous murder. I’d love to see a remake about true crime podcasters.

    254 Likes
    Sean Fennessey
    Sean Fennessey
  •
    Sep 9, 2024

    One Sheet (poster) to the wind! Eric Binford or is it Cody Jarrett? .... It's Eric Binford! well anyway Eric has an unhealthy obsession with the movies (like everybody on Letterboxd?) and after the death of his over overbearing Aunt he's willing to kill for that obsession.…

    217 Likes
    VIVE_le_FILTH
    VIVE_le_FILTH
    Jan 26, 2023

    he's shy and knows random useless film trivia? damn, he's just like me

    201 Likes
    haley
    haley
    Dec 9, 2017

    When cosplsying goes wrong: the movie. A prime example of an unhealthy addiction and it’s consequences. There’s a scene where our main character is jerking off with Halloween on in the background while staring at picture of Marilyn Monroe on his ceiling as his eyes roll…

    193 Likes
    Ian West
    Ian West
  •
    May 17, 2025

    i wanna see erics top 4

    183 Likes
    meyi
    meyi
    May 7, 2023

    When a movie nerd becomes a serial killer. Big hommage to horror cinema with media-critical nuances.

    141 Likes
    kat🕷
    kat🕷
    Apr 30, 2017

    What would the contemporary equivalent of the main character be? Mansplaining Lettetboxd dudebros with Nolan, P.T. Anderson and Fincher in their favorite movies?

    125 Likes
    laird
    laird
See All Reviews on Letterboxd.com

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Top Reviews
  • CvptvinHowdy
    CvptvinHowdy liked
    Fade to Black

    The concept of this movie and everything surrounding it was very cool. A film buff getting the obsession to kill using movie references is, as I said, a really cool idea. Unfortunately, I didn't like following our lead around… I would’ve preferred different actor.

    1M
    Ghost
    Ghost loved
    Fade to Black

    Literally me

    1Y
    Sarah Dennis
    Sarah Dennis liked
    Fade to Black

    .

    5M
View More Popular Fade to Black Reviews on Queue

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Metacritic

54
metacritic
Based on 5 Critics
tbd

USER SCORE (2)

No score yet based on 2 Reviews
75

This is a weird, uneven, generally intriguing thriller about a young man whose fantasy life is totally controlled by images from movies.

View full review
Metacritic review by Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
See All Critic Reviews on Metacritic.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fade to Black (1980) (1980) family-friendly?
The movie has been rated as R, meaning that Under 17 requires an adult accompaniment.
How long is Fade to Black (1980) (1980)?
The movie is 1hr 42min long.
What's Fade to Black (1980) (1980) about?
A shy, lonely film buff embarks on a killing spree against those who browbeat and betray him, all the while stalking his idol, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.