When the story begins, Katherine (Jaclyn Smith) goes to the airport to pick up her husband, Wendell (Mike Connors). Within seconds, you realize that Wendell is an emotionally abusive drunk. However, instead of leaving it at this, you are treated to many scenes of Wendell treating everyone like dirt. In fact, it's overkill...making his character seem almost like a cartoon character, such as Snidley Whiplash! Yes, his character was that broadly written and about as subtle as a sledgehammer upside your head!! Not surprisingly, soon Wendell dies...having been poisoned by one of his employees, Steve (James Franciscus). The wife had no idea Steve would do this....but the pair agree to keep this secret. However, someone has been eavesdropping and soon bad things start to happen to the couple. What happens and who is behind this? See the film...or not.
Aside from an excellent cast that included the above folks plus Fritz Weaver and Robert Mitchum, there isn't a lot of positives I could give for the film. Although the situation is interesting and could have made for a good film, the writing, simply put, was bad. All poor Jaclyn Smith could do throughout the film was whimper and run...and having the leading lady play such a weak and ineffectual character was a HUGE mistake. She also just seemed illogical and foolish. All this also made Smith look like a terrible actress...which she certainly isn't. Too many flaws, too many poorly written characters and not enough to make the audience feel as if their intelligence isn't being questioned. Overall, "Nightkill" is a huge letdown and a film I'd just as soon forget...especially because not even bad enough to be good for a laugh.
Aside from an excellent cast that included the above folks plus Fritz Weaver and Robert Mitchum, there isn't a lot of positives I could give for the film. Although the situation is interesting and could have made for a good film, the writing, simply put, was bad. All poor Jaclyn Smith could do throughout the film was whimper and run...and having the leading lady play such a weak and ineffectual character was a HUGE mistake. She also just seemed illogical and foolish. All this also made Smith look like a terrible actress...which she certainly isn't. Too many flaws, too many poorly written characters and not enough to make the audience feel as if their intelligence isn't being questioned. Overall, "Nightkill" is a huge letdown and a film I'd just as soon forget...especially because not even bad enough to be good for a laugh.