The Hideous Sun Demon (1958)

20 Aug 2025

Rating: 2/5

The film is an inversion of the werewolf legend in which a man turns into the titular character when exposed to too much sun. Because this is 1958, it’s because of radioactive isotopes and other pseudo-sci-fi nonsense. So, like, The Incredible Hulk, but the sun instead of anger. Or, wait, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

I like the lizard-inspired monster design! The de-evolution concept surely was an inspiration for the 90s Super Mario Bros. movie. Also, I love the bit where they show a close-up of a tarantula and say, “This used to be a grasshopper.” The implications are too subtle and multifaceted for me to comprehend.

Part of this movie’s score was used in Night of the Living Dead. Neat!


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