Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight

Right now you can watch Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight in the US on Starz Apple TV Channel — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 564 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Billy Zane sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Starz Apple TV Channel.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight earns its spot. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight from the crowd. Ex-soldier Frank Brayker is the guardian of an ancient key that can unlock tremendous evil; the sinister Collector is a demon who wants the key so he can initiate the apocalypse. On the run from wicked mercenaries for almost 90 years, Brayker finally stops in at a boarding house in New Mexico where — with the help of its residents — he plans to face off against the Collector and his band of ghouls, preventing them from ever seizing the key. Billy Zane and William Sadler lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1995. Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight respects your intelligence. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Billy Zane's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.