Robert Englund (known to genre fans everywhere as Freddy in the Nightmare On Elm Street movies) makes his directorial debut (and so far this is his only directing stint) for this somewhat muddled, but still entertaining effort.

Stephen Geoffreys (a guy we all loved in 1985's Fright Night as "Evil Ed") plays a completely geeky high schooler who is constantly being picked-on by some bullies and always making an ass of himself. Wanting to be more like his cool motorbike riding cousin who lives next door, he starts calling a 976 "HorrorScope" line which at first helps him to become less of a "wimp" before eventually transforming him into a semi-demon who sets-out for revenge.

This is a competently directed and watchable time that manages to be enjoyably campy at times and although there's only a so-so finish and when Geoffreys becomes possessed he becomes too much of a wisecracking killer that feels very similar to Englund's Freddy character it's still not that bad with Geoffrey's suitably geeky, Sandy Dennis going completely over-the-top as his religious fantatic mother and alright Kevin Yagher (creator of Freddy's look and Chucky from the Child's Play movies) make-up effects.

Followed by a sequel.

Directed By: Robert Englund.
Written By: Brian Helgeland, Rhet Topham.

Starring: Stephen Geoffreys, Jim Metzler, Maria Rubell, Lezlie Deane.