On this day June 13, 1980, the horror film The Children premiered in theaters in the U.S. Directed by Max Kalmanowicz, the low budget shocker told the unsettling story of a group of schoolchildren who are exposed to toxic waste and return home transformed into deadly killers with radioactive powers. What followed was a chilling and bizarre tale of innocent faces hiding lethal danger.
Starring Martin Shakar, Gil Rogers and Gale Garnett, the film blended science fiction with horror and leaned into the creepy tension of children turning against their parents. Though not a major release, The Children gained a cult following for its eerie atmosphere, strange premise and memorable moments of practical effects horror.
Released during the early 80s boom of independent horror, it joined a wave of films that dared to explore dark and unconventional storylines outside of Hollywood’s mainstream.
80s insight: The Children reflected the era’s fascination with nuclear fears and environmental disaster. In the early 80s, horror often tackled real world anxieties through strange and surreal storytelling, making even small town life feel dangerous.
Starring Martin Shakar, Gil Rogers and Gale Garnett, the film blended science fiction with horror and leaned into the creepy tension of children turning against their parents. Though not a major release, The Children gained a cult following for its eerie atmosphere, strange premise and memorable moments of practical effects horror.
Released during the early 80s boom of independent horror, it joined a wave of films that dared to explore dark and unconventional storylines outside of Hollywood’s mainstream.
80s insight: The Children reflected the era’s fascination with nuclear fears and environmental disaster. In the early 80s, horror often tackled real world anxieties through strange and surreal storytelling, making even small town life feel dangerous.
