The New Kids (1985) Horror Thriller Review | Geekz 31 Days of Horror – 80s Revenge Mayhem or Forgotten Gem?

The Geekz crank back the clock for our 31 Days of Horror marathon with The New Kids (1985) — an underrated 80s horror-thriller packed with revenge, chaos, and small-town terror. Directed by Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th), the film follows teenage siblings Abby and Loren (played by Lori Loughlin and Shannon Presby) who move in with their uncle after tragedy strikes, only to become the target of a violent local gang led by James Spader in one of his earliest and most chilling roles. In our review, we dig into the movie’s gritty tone, revenge-driven plot, and how Cunningham’s direction blends teen drama with slasher-style brutality. We’ll talk about Spader’s menacing performance, the 80s aesthetic, and whether The New Kids deserves a spot among the decade’s hidden horror gems — or if it’s best left forgotten. Join us as we continue our marathon of 31 horror movies for 31 days of October, covering cult classics, indie slashers, and forgotten thrillers from every era! 👉 Don’t miss the rest of our 31 Days of Horror series, where we post a brand-new horror review every single day this October!