Hobgoblins Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Furry puppets escape from a movie studio and force people to act out their most embarrassing fantasies, usually involving sex lines and garden tools.

🍿 Hobgoblins: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Night Watchman’s Warning

Kevin, a young and somewhat timid individual, starts a new job as a security guard at an old, abandoned film studio. He’s quickly warned by the seasoned, eccentric night watchman, McCreedy, about a locked vault that must never be opened. McCreedy cryptically hints at dangerous creatures contained within, but Kevin, eager to prove himself, dismisses the warnings as the ramblings of an old man.

Vault Breach and the Hobgoblins’ Escape

Driven by curiosity and a desire to impress his girlfriend, Amy, Kevin disregards McCreedy’s advice and opens the vault. Inside, he discovers the Hobgoblins – small, furry creatures with the ability to manifest people’s deepest desires, but with deadly consequences. The Hobgoblins escape, and McCreedy, realizing the grave danger, informs Kevin about their power and the urgent need to recapture them before dawn.

Fantasies and Fatalities

The Hobgoblins wreak havoc on the town, preying on the desires of Kevin’s friends. Kyle, a phone sex addict, finds his fantasies becoming a dangerous reality. Nick, a trigger-happy military man, indulges in violent fantasies. As their desires manifest, the Hobgoblins manipulate these scenarios to inflict deadly outcomes, turning harmless fantasies into gruesome realities. Kevin and Amy must team up to stop them before more lives are lost.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kevin (Tom Bartlett): A timid security guard who inadvertently releases the Hobgoblins and must find the courage to stop them.
• McCreedy (James R. Sweeney): The veteran security guard who knows about the Hobgoblins and tries to warn Kevin of the danger.
• Amy (Paige Sullivan): Kevin’s girlfriend, who is initially portrayed as prudish but later desires to be a slut.
• Nick (Billy Frank): Daphne’s boyfriend, a macho and sex-crazed military man whose fantasies turn violent.
• Kyle (Steven Boggs): One of Kevin’s friends, a phone sex addict with unusual fantasies involving creepy women.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• McCreedy: “The vault… I tried to warn you… those creatures… the vault… I tried… All my work! Thirty years, I have tried to prevent this from happening.” – McCreedy laments his failure to keep the hobgoblins contained after Kevin releases them.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Hobgoblins Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Hobgoblins isn’t exactly a cinematic masterpiece. I mean, the puppets look like they were made from old socks and the acting is… well, let’s just say it’s ‘unique.’ But honestly, I had a blast watching it! I will admit that I enjoyed the ‘Club Scum’ scene. I was also laughing and crying at the rake fight. If you’re looking for a genuinely bad movie that’s so bad it’s good, Hobgoblins is it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of ‘so bad it’s good’ movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K)”
  • “Those interested in low-budget 80s horror comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Puppet violence”

Professional Reviews

• Schlock Film Review: “Hobgoblins tries to be Gremlins but fails spectacularly. The puppets are laughably bad, the acting is atrocious, and the plot is nonsensical. Only watch this if you enjoy intentionally bad movies.
• B-Movie Central: “As a Gremlins ripoff this movie is quite awful, but if you want to have a good laugh with friends it’s a must-see. Hobgoblins is a masterclass in low-budget schlock. The movie is hilarious in the worst possible way, making it a fun choice for a bad movie night.

Audience Reactions

The rake fight is legendary in its awfulness, making it a hilariously memorable scene.: Most viewers agree that the film’s charm lies in its incompetence, providing unintentional comedic value.

Overall Consensus: Hobgoblins is a poorly made Gremlins rip-off that has gained a cult following for its sheer awfulness and unintentional humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Hobgoblins was shot without permits, contributing to its low-budget feel and guerilla filmmaking style.”
• “The film is a blatant attempt to capitalize on the success of ‘Gremlins,’ but with significantly lower production values and a more adult-oriented theme.”
• “Rick Sloane, the writer, director, cinematographer, editor, and producer of the film, is known for his low-budget, often poorly received movies.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hobgoblins?

As of today, Hobgoblins is not available to stream on major subscription services like Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu. However, you can often find it available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu. Availability may change, so check these services directly.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hobgoblins, you might like these similar films:

• Ghoulies (1985): Another low-budget horror film featuring small, mischievous creatures that cause chaos.
• Critters (1986): Similar creature feature with small, furry aliens causing havoc in a small town.
• Gremlins (1984): The film Hobgoblins tries to emulate; features small monsters wreaking havoc, but with a higher budget and better execution.

🛒 Hobgoblins Related Products

• Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hobgoblins: Experience Hobgoblins the way it was meant to be seen – with hilarious commentary from Mike Nelson and the bots. The perfect way to enjoy this cinematic train wreck.
• Hobgoblins (Limited Edition Blu-ray): A limited-edition Blu-ray of Hobgoblins for collectors of schlock and bad movie ephemera. Includes commentary and behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast. For true bad movie afficionados.
• Hobgoblins T-Shirt: Wear your love for Hobgoblins with a unique t-shirt featuring the film’s iconic puppets. A conversation starter for fellow bad movie enthusiasts.
• HoboGlyphs – Action Figure Set: These 4″ figurines will destroy your life, if you own them! But they’re so cool.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hobgoblins features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Kiss Kicker ’99” – performed by The Fontanelles

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

HOBGOBLINS – So Bad It’s Good | Cynical Reviews

Ever wonder how a movie can be so terrible that it’s actually entertaining? Cynical Reviews dives deep into the glorious train wreck that is Hobgoblins, and honestly, you’ll be laughing (and maybe cringing) the whole time. It’s a must-watch if you want to experience the peak of low-budget filmmaking!

Hobgoblins (1988) Movie review

Curious what James Rolfe from Cinemassacre thinks about Hobgoblins? He takes it apart piece by piece in his Monster Madness series, and it’s a hilarious ride. Trust me, this review is a classic for a reason!

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