Targets Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Boris Karloff fights a guy with too many guns at a drive-in, proving real-life horror is better than his monster movies because he can actually slap people now.

🍿 Targets: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Retiring Horror Icon

Byron Orlok (Boris Karloff), a seasoned horror film actor, announces his retirement, believing his brand of cinematic terror is outdated in a world increasingly filled with real-life violence. Orlok’s decision throws his producer and a young director, Sammy Michaels (Peter Bogdanovich), into a frenzy as they try to persuade him to reconsider and make one last appearance at a drive-in theater.

The Suburban Sniper

Bobby Thompson (Tim O’Kelly), a seemingly ordinary young man, harbors a dark obsession with firearms. He amasses a collection of weapons, exhibiting a disturbing detachment from reality. The film subtly reveals his growing instability through his interactions with his family and his increasingly withdrawn behavior, hinting at the impending tragedy.

Convergence at the Drive-In

As Orlok reluctantly agrees to the drive-in appearance, Bobby sets his sights on the same location. He positions himself behind the screen, turning the unsuspecting audience into targets. The film escalates the tension, contrasting the fictional horror playing on screen with the real-life terror unfolding in the audience.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Byron Orlok (Boris Karloff): An aging horror film star contemplating retirement, believing his type of horror is outdated compared to the real-world violence.
• Bobby Thompson (Tim O’Kelly): A disturbed young man and gun enthusiast who embarks on a random and shocking killing spree.
• Sammy Michaels (Peter Bogdanovich): A young and aspiring film director trying to convince Byron Orlok to star in his new film.
• Jenny (Nancy Hsueh): Byron Orlok’s young and supportive secretary, who also has a relationship with Sammy Michaels.
• Robert Thompson Sr. (James Brown): Bobby Thompson’s father, who instilled in his son a love for firearms, but is unaware of his dark intentions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Byron Orlok: “Nobody cares about a painted monster anymore.” – Orlok expresses his disillusionment, stating that real-life violence has overshadowed the impact of traditional horror films.
• Byron Orlok: “I’m an anachronism.” – Orlok explains to Sammy Michaels that he feels outdated and irrelevant in the modern world.
• Byron Orlok: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I’d like to leave you with a little story to think about as you drive home – through the darkness…” – Orlok tells a chilling anecdote about a servant encountering Death, foreshadowing the film’s themes of fate and unavoidable violence.
• Bobby Thompson: “I hardly ever missed, did I?” – Thompson’s chilling last words upon being arrested, showcasing his detachment from the gravity of his actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $130,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Targets Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘Targets’ late one night, expecting a typical Boris Karloff monster flick. What I got was something far more unsettling. The way Bogdanovich intertwined Karloff’s storyline with the chillingly realistic sniper was genius. The drive-in scene was horrifying, a perfect reflection of the changing face of fear. It really stuck with me; the idea that everyday life could be shattered in an instant. The acting really pulls you in.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary”
  • “Admirers of Boris Karloff”
  • “Students of film history”
  • “Those who appreciate low-budget filmmaking”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Brief scenes of domestic violence”
  • “Mature subject matter”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A chilling and prescient thriller blending the fading appeal of classic horror with the unsettling rise of random violence. Bogdanovich’s direction is sharp and Karloff’s performance is a poignant swan song.
• The New York Times: “Targets is a thought-provoking exploration of fear and its changing forms. Karloff brings gravitas while the sniper storyline is disturbing. The film is a powerful, unnerving commentary.
• Los Angeles Times: “Bogdanovich’s first film delivers a disturbing punch. Karloff is exceptional, his farewell is great in this low budget great thriller that reflects a dark side of American life. It may shock you.

Audience Reactions

Boris Karloff’s performance is stellar, proving his talent transcends monster movies.: Karloff’s poignant portrayal of an aging horror star adds depth and emotional resonance.

The sniper storyline is terrifyingly realistic, mirroring real-life tragedies.: The film’s depiction of random violence is unsettling and thought-provoking.

Overall Consensus: Targets is a low-budget thriller praised for its blending of classic horror with modern social commentary, boosted by Karloff’s performance and its unsettling realism.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Roger Corman gave Peter Bogdanovich nearly free rein on the film, requiring only that he use 20 minutes of footage from Corman’s film ‘The Terror’ and employ Boris Karloff for two days.”
• “Boris Karloff was so impressed with the script that he worked for five days without additional pay, exceeding his initial two-day contract.”
• “The film is loosely based on the Charles Whitman shootings at the University of Texas in 1966, reflecting anxieties about random violence in American society.”
• “Director Samuel Fuller, uncredited, helped with the script.”
• “Peter Bogdanovich plays Sammy Michaels, a character loosely based on himself.”

🖥️ How to Watch Targets?

While “Targets” isn’t currently streaming on major subscription services like Netflix or Hulu, it’s often available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check these sites for current availability and pricing. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be found through online retailers such as Amazon, offering a more permanent option for viewing.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986): A similarly unsettling portrayal of a seemingly ordinary individual committing random acts of violence, exploring the banality of evil.
• Taxi Driver (1976): Explores the themes of alienation and urban decay leading to violence through the eyes of a disturbed protagonist.
• Psycho (1960): A horror film exploring the disturbing actions of a normal individual.
• Man Bites Dog (1992): A mockumentary following a documentary film crew following a serial killer. Explores the desensitization to violence in cinema and society.

🛒 Targets Related Products

• The Boris Karloff Collection (6-Film Collection): A collection of Karloff films celebrating the range of his talent. It is the perfect gift for the horror fan!
• American Cinema: One Hundred Years of Filmmaking: A guide for the avid movie-goer.
• Drive-In Movie Memories: Pop Culture Nostalgia for a Classic American Experience: A guide for the avid movie-goer.
• Replica M1 Garand Rifle – Non-Firing: A realistic replica for display or historical reenactments. It’s a detailed non-firing replica of a classic rifle.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Green Rocky Road” – performed by The Daily Flash

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Targets (1968) Monster Madness X movie review #23

Ever wondered if ‘Targets’ holds up today? Mike and James from Cinemassacre give their take, and honestly, I always find their perspectives super insightful, especially when they dive into the historical context!

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