Three college kids, and a surly wisecracking detective? Not exactly the kind of group you’d expect to save the world from an alien invasion. Chris (Jason Lively), his best friend, J.C. (Steve Marshall), and Cynthia (Jill Whitlow) are outnumbered and outmatched by the invading horde of alien slugs. There’s only one man, who’s bold and crazy enough to help them: Detective Ray Cameron.
Ray doesn’t fit the mold for a hero, but that’s also what makes him a unique character. He’s a burnt-out detective, who drives an old cherry top police car in the 1980’s, a rebel, with a snappy sense of humor who plays by his own rules. His trusted sidekick? A twelve gauge shotgun.
Ray is a fiery veteran, but he’s haunted by the one that got away. In the 1950’s, Ray found the love of his life, Pam (Alice Cadogan) in pieces, after she was killed by an axe wielding maniac. To make matters worse, Pam had already moved on with another man.
The scene, where Ray tells Chris the story about how he took matters into his own hands to kill The Maniac? That’s the scene, where you truly start to understand Ray Cameron. Sure, Ray has a short temper. He’s crass and he’s a loose cannon, but we’re talking about a hopeless romantic with a broken heart. Remember, Ray was ready to commit suicide before Chris showed up at his doorstep asking for help.
It’s also easy to see why Ray feels sympathy for Chris, and why he decided to help him in the end. Ray understands what it feels like to be in love at a young age. He knows Chris deeply cares about Cynthia. Decades after Pam’s murder, Ray is still fantasizing about sitting on a beach, while Pam slowly rises up from the water. And what did Ray use as motivation for a shot of adrenaline, when he was surrounded by the infected horde, facing certain death? Pam’s picture at the sorority house.
Thrill me! A simple catchphrase, and they’re two words that perfectly describe Ray. Honestly, you can make a best of list featuring Ray’s quotes and one-liners (“It’s Miller time!”) throughout the movie. Nicknaming Chris and J.T. Spanky (Chris) and Alfalfa (J.T.), threatening Walt (Dick Miller), because Ray doesn’t have a requisition form for the flamethrower, or tearing into the other cops at the cryogenics lab. Ray Cameron finds a way to deliver some great bits of comedy, as a grouchy and irritated old man.
Ray Cameron is a memorable character, if you’re a fan of 80’s horror movies. Tom Atkins truly brings his best for Night Of The Creeps. Effortlessly chewing the scenery, there’s no denying Atkins is the true star of the cast.
It’s also ironic how Ray was depressed, how he didn’t want to be bothered about anything, and he simply wanted to give up on life. But in the end, Ray is the hero.
The final wink and the smile for Chris before Ray starts the countdown to blow up the sorority house really works as a weird full circle moment. Facing that big, nasty hive of alien slugs, Ray was ready to do what he had to do. Through wild and unusual circumstances, Ray Cameron found peace again, and it’s truly a fitting ending for him, when you consider Ray’s fearless approach to life.
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