Night of the Demons (1988) - Practical FX FTW!

Okay, so I finally got around to watching "Night of the Demons" (the original, of course!). I had heard so much about the practical effects, and honestly, they didn't disappoint. The whole atmosphere of that funeral home just ooze's creepy. I'm a sucker for that kind of 80s horror that leans into the camp. I mean, Angela, right? Linnea Quigley goes all out. Seriously, that lipstick scene? Disturbing and kinda iconic. What really sells it for me is that they didn't rely on CGI at all; it's all practical, and it just feels so much more real, you know? Sound design was pretty effective too. The sound of the demon's growling and the general eerie ambience of Hull House really added to the whole scary vibe. There's this one scene in particular, where the group is trying to escape the house and you just hear the scratching and banging -- yikes, give me chills. Now, the acting isn't amazing, but honestly, it's perfectly fine for this kind of flick. They commit to the absurdity, which I appreciate. The special effects makeup is just next level. And some of the monster designs are truly creepy, like the possessed Suzanne with the gross hand. I think some of the pacing is off I'm not gonna lie, the plot is pretty basic - Halloween party gone wrong. It's not trying to win any awards for groundbreaking storytelling but it's a really fun ride. I find it cool that it takes place on Halloween night, too! It's the perfect time of year for that movie. I'm not sure if I would rank it up there with something like Evil Dead, though, but it definitely earns its cult status in my book. Does anyone know what kind of budget they were working with for this? The effects look like they spent a bunch on it. Overall, a great watch if you are after some retro horror with impressive practical effects. Thumbs up from me! What did you guys think? Any favorite moments?