10 Amazing Overlooked Treasures of the 1980s

      Tom Jolliffe showcases ten fantastic hidden gems from the 1980s; how many have you watched…?

      The 1980s served as a diverse and vibrant era for cinema. Blockbusters and franchises emerged as major phenomena. The rise of home video provided films opportunities to gain success beyond traditional theater viewings. While cinema fandom has always formed around select cult followings, the concept of cult cinema truly flourished in the 80s—largely thanks to the aforementioned revival on VHS—and it hasn't looked back since.

      Numerous captivating successes, bloated failures, and oddities throughout the decade captured varying levels of attention, but many films have unfortunately been overlooked over time. Here are ten underrated gems from the 80s…

      **Body Double**

      It was neither Carrie nor Blow Out. It faced criticism from reviewers compared to the more favorably received Dressed to Kill and didn’t attract as wide an audience as The Untouchables or Scarface.

      Brian De Palma has crafted numerous excellent films and is familiar with creating Hitchcock-inspired thrillers. Body Double feels like a polarizing, love/hate, and somewhat forgotten De Palma movie that emerged during a peak in his cinematic achievements. Essentially, De Palma amplified his already heightened style and unabashed lack of restraint, producing a De Palma Thriller on steroids in the twisty, campy, yet (if you embrace it) brilliant Body Double. It flirts with a spoof-like vibe within a Hitchcockian sub-genre that was popular in Hollywood at the time. Craig Wasson portrays an endearingly awkward, occasionally unsettling protagonist caught in a murder scheme, while Melanie Griffith shines in her role as well. The cinematography is breathtaking, showcasing the technical mastery characteristic of most of De Palma’s prime works, making it feel underrated in his filmography.

      **The Wraith**

      If you enjoy The Crow, High Plains Drifter, Pale Rider, The Stranger, and Dolph Lundgren’s Missionary Man, then The Wraith is likely for you. The story revolves around a mysterious newcomer aiming to eliminate a brutal gang of killers, who turns out to be a previous victim returned from the dead. If that appeals to you, then The Wraith is a must-see, featuring a quintessential element of 80s cinema: the Sci-fi super vehicle, as the hero (played by a young Charlie Sheen) races around in a modified black Dodge Charger. Sheen confronts a gang of punks led by Nick Cassavetes. It’s an outrageous film, but undeniably entertaining.

      Since our vengeful protagonist has his own sleek, futuristic sports car, it’s no surprise that many action sequences consist of thrilling car chases. There are some truly impressive set pieces filled with breathtaking stunts. Ah, the good old days of practical effects. Though Sheen feels oddly flat, even for his mysterious character, Cassavetes and Randy Quaid seem to relish their roles, making it a genuinely goofy delight.

      **The Man With Two Brains**

      Despite the remarkable trio of Carl Reiner (director, writer), Steve Martin (star, writer), and Kathleen Turner, this quirky and delightfully dark comedy never receives the appreciation it deserves. Martin plays a brilliant neurosurgeon who marries a gold-digger (Turner) and subsequently falls for a brain in a jar with whom he can communicate telepathically.

      As a cheerful homage to silly (and terrible) B-movies, as well as the comedy stylings of figures like Jerry Lewis, this film allows Martin to play to his strengths. The Man With Two Brains is a consistently entertaining, funny, and often charming film.

      **Nighthawks**

      Two undercover cops in New York, known for pushing boundaries and challenging authority, are recruited to join a task force aiming to thwart an international terrorist from wreaking havoc in the city. Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams portray the seasoned partners tasked with stopping Rutger Hauer. While they eventually succeed, neither Stallone nor Williams can match Hauer's captivating and seemingly effortless performance.

      Nighthawks, released after Rocky but before First Blood, remains a largely forgotten yet severely underrated thriller in Stallone’s filmography. While it may lack the iconic status of Rocky or Rambo and isn’t as infamously bad as Rhinestone or as cult-favored as Demolition Man, it’s a solid action thriller. The film possesses an unusual stylistic quality, more reminiscent of the prior decade than the one it belongs to, and still effectively cultivates tension during the high-stakes pursuit of Wolfgang (Hauer).

      **Roadgames**

      This outstanding Australian thriller features Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis and offers a slice of “Oz gold” guaranteed to satisfy fans of films like The Hitcher, Breakdown, Joy Ride, and Duel. Keach plays a truck driver who suspects a green car he has seen belongs to a serial