Hobgoblins

Hobgoblins

Year: 1988

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Rick Sloane

ComedyHorrorScience FictionMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypseCrude humor and satire

When a shipment of mischievous hobgoblins breaks free from a studio vault, they grant anyone who wishes a tempting fantasy—only to turn it into a deadly trap. A night‑shift security guard, his skeptical girlfriend, and a few friends scramble to survive the night and stop the creatures before sunrise.

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Timeline & Setting – Hobgoblins (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Hobgoblins (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1980s

The events unfold in a contemporary 1980s setting, reflecting the era’s low-budget horror-comedy vibe. The film’s production design, fashion cues, and club atmosphere situate it squarely in that decade. Nighttime exploits at the studio and Club Scum contrast with daytime routines at Kevin’s home, underscoring a period-specific blend of mundanity and chaos. The overall mood captures the late-80s sensibility of excess and experimentation.

Location

Old Movie Studio, Film Vault, Club Scum nightclub, Kevin's House

The story centers on an old movie studio lot and its desert storm-era film vault where the hobgoblins crash-landed. The narrative shifts between backstage studio spaces and the neon-lit chaos of Club Scum, a sleazy nightclub that becomes a focal point for the characters' fantasies. Kevin's house also serves as a stage for the group’s gatherings and the immediate consequences of the hobgoblins’ powers. The setting blends behind-the-scenes film production with a dangerous, fantastical intrusion.

🎬 Film Studio 🌃 Nightlife 🏠 Domestic

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:25

Main Characters – Hobgoblins (1988)

Meet the key characters of Hobgoblins (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kevin — Tom Bartlett

Kevin is a new hire who hopes to impress his girlfriend and prove his bravery. He starts as a fairly ordinary, uncertain guy who must face escalating danger from the hobgoblins. Over the course of the night, he acts to defend his friends and ultimately shows real courage.

🧭 Ambition 🛡️ Bravery 🤞 Determination

Amy — Paige Sullivan

Amy is Kevin's girlfriend who begins as sexually repressed. The hobgoblins grant her fantasies, pulling her toward Club Scum and testing her boundaries. By the end, she returns to her core self but with a more open, less inhibited view of her sexuality.

💃 Liberation 💖 Vulnerability 🕊️ Transformation

Nick — Billy Frank

Nick is the loud, confident friend who embraces bravado until the fantasy world punishes him. His commandos fantasy leads to dangerous chaos; he appears to die in a fiery scene but returns later, underscoring the Hobgoblins' deadly whimsy.

🔥 Recklessness 🗡️ Bravado 💥 Chaos

Daphne — Kelley Palmer

Daphne is a party-loving friend who flirts with risk and energy. She feeds into the group's dynamics and becomes entangled in the hobgoblins' mischief, though she remains a loyal companion to Kevin and the others.

🎯 Friendship 😈 Playfulness 🫶 Loyalty

Kyle — Steven Boggs

Kyle is the nerdy, somewhat self-deprecating member of the group. He provides comic relief and a counterpoint to Kevin's boldness, while still getting drawn into the chaotic night.

🧑‍💼 Comedy 🧠 Geekiness 🕶️ Skepticism

Mr. McCreedy — James R. Sweeney

McCreedy is the elderly studio boss who has guarded the hobgoblins for decades. He embodies practicality and control, ultimately making the tough choice to end the threat with explosive force to protect Kevin and the crew.

🛡️ Protector 🎩 Authority 🧭 Strategic

Club MC — Daran Norris

Club MC is the emcee of Club Scum, embodying the seedy, over-the-top energy of the nightclub scene that the hobgoblins exploit. He anchors the chaotic atmosphere and the nocturnal setting of the film's climax.

🎤 Emcee 🕺 Nightlife 🌀 Chaos

Fantazia — Tamara Clatterbuck

Fantazia is one of the hobgoblins with the power to bend human fantasies. She uses this ability to manipulate the group's desires, contributing to the film's blend of comedy and horror.

🪄 Fantasies 🧪 Manipulation 👾 Nonhuman

Roadrash — Duane Whitaker

Roadrash is the scruffy nightclub bouncer who becomes a target of hobgoblin influence. He appears in the Club Scum chaos, representing the rough edge of the club environment.

🤘 Bouncer 🧱 Enforcer 🌀 Chaos

Comstock — Don Barrett

Comstock is the burglar introduced earlier who reappears as a phantom created by the hobgoblins. His presence underscores the blurring of real threat and illusion in the film.

🧭 Intruder 🧱 Adversary 👁️ Spectral

Pixie — Kari French

Pixie is a minor character connected to the night scene. She participates in the group's dynamic but does not drive the plot.

🎐 Minor Character 🪄 Whimsy 🗣️ Support

Thug — Ken Abraham

Thug is a supporting antagonist who contributes to the film's rough, menacing atmosphere. He serves as a physical obstacle within the plot's street-level conflict.

🗡️ Threat 🧱 Enforcer 🥷 Henchman

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:25

Major Themes – Hobgoblins (1988)

Explore the central themes of Hobgoblins (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Fantasy Consequences

The hobgoblins grant people their deepest fantasies, but those fantasies come with deadly side effects. The movie uses humor and horror to show how desires can spiral when acted upon without restraint. It suggests that fantasies reveal vulnerabilities and can destabilize relationships when they collide with reality.

🎭 Sexual Morality

Amy’s sexual repression is amplified by the hobgoblins, pushing her toward a nightclub fantasy that challenges her boundaries. The story probes how culture and personal fear shape sexuality, and how liberation can come at a personal cost. By the end, she retains her core identity but with a more open outlook.

🛡️ Heroism

Kevin evolves from a nerves-ridden new hire into someone who must confront both human threats and supernatural mischief. He faces escalating danger, tries to protect his friends, and learns to act decisively under pressure. The climax frames courage as a choice to face fear for the sake of others.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:25

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Hobgoblins Summary

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