Nightmare at Noon

Nightmare at Noon

Year: 1988

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Nico Mastorakis

ActionThrillerHorror

An experiment in terror. Scientists poison the water supply of a small town, turning the residents into homicidal maniacs who kill each other and anybody who passes through. The contagion spreads rapidly, plunging the community into chaotic bloodshed as friends become foes and strangers are mercilessly slain.

Nightmare at Noon (1988) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Nightmare at Noon (1988) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the quiet Utah outpost of Canyonland, a seemingly ordinary community is suddenly thrust into a nightmarish experiment. When the town’s water supply is covertly tainted, ordinary citizens begin to unravel, their behavior spiraling into a frantic, hostile frenzy. The atmosphere cracks under an unsettling blend of rural isolation and unseen menace, turning familiar streets into a landscape of suspicion where every sip could be a catalyst for terror.

Amid the growing dread, two strangers arrive in a weather‑worn RV, seeking the peace of the open road. One of them, Reilly, can’t shake the odd sight he encountered on the way in and quickly suspects that something far more insidious than a simple accident is at play. Their attempts to raise the alarm are met with denial and a creeping sense that the town is cut off from any outside aid. At the heart of the community, the local law is embodied by Sheriff Hanks, a figure whose authority is as fragile as the town’s fragile peace, while his daughter Lori—a capable deputy—balances duty with a fierce protectiveness for her home.

The film settles into a relentless, almost palpable tension, pairing the stark, sun‑baked expanses of the Utah desert with the claustrophobic fear that spreads like a virus. The interplay between the outsiders’ curiosity and the locals’ desperate attempts to retain control creates a charged dynamic, hinting at deeper conspiracies and moral quandaries. As the water’s hidden poison continues its silent work, the audience is left to wonder whether reason, resolve, or sheer luck will be enough to contend with an experiment gone terrifyingly awry.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:50

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Contagion thrillers like Nightmare at Noon

A peaceful community descends into violent chaos from a mysterious threat.If you enjoyed the paranoid survival chase in Nightmare at Noon, you'll find more movies like it here. This collection features similar stories of bio-threats and infection horror where small towns become pressure cookers of violence, focusing on fast-paced action and the breakdown of society.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often begin with an idyllic, isolated setting that is shattered by the introduction of a pathogen, parasite, or psychological influence. The plot follows a rapid escalation of violence as neighbors turn on each other, forcing a small group of survivors to navigate the treacherous landscape of their once-home.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared premise of a community imploding from within, creating a potent mix of horror and thriller elements. The focus is on visceral survival, constant threat, and the chilling transformation of ordinary people into deadly enemies.

Fast-paced chase movies like Nightmare at Noon

Non-stop action where characters are constantly hunted in a hostile environment.For viewers who loved the non-stop, chaotic action of Nightmare at Noon, this thread gathers movies with a similar relentless pace. These films feature high-stakes survival scenarios where the tension rarely lets up, capturing the same feeling of being hunted in a dangerous, collapsing world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative structure is linear and straightforward, built around a series of escalating chase sequences and narrow escapes. Character development is often secondary to the immediate physical danger, creating a propulsive viewing experience that emphasizes action and suspense over deep introspection.

Why These Movies?

They share a core cinematic experience: a fast, tense, and high-intensity ride. The similarity comes from the pacing and the feeling of being thrust into a situation where stopping means death, making for an adrenaline-fueled watch.

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Nightmare at Noon Summary

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Nightmare at Noon Summary

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Nightmare at Noon Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Nightmare at Noon

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Nightmare at Noon

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