The Story of Cries in the Night
Cries in the Night—also released under the title Funeral Home—follows a young woman who arrives at her grandmother's rural home for the summer. She's come to help with an ambitious renovation project: transforming the old house, which once operated as a funeral parlor, into a functioning bed-and-breakfast inn. The grandmother, a spirited and determined woman, welcomes the help. But as guests begin arriving to stay at their new establishment, something goes terribly wrong. People start disappearing. Others turn up dead. What was supposed to be a quiet summer of family bonding and honest work becomes a descent into mystery and terror. The film doesn't waste time getting there—it plants its hooks early and doesn't let go.
Behind the Making of Cries in the Night
Director William Fruet brought this Canadian horror effort to life in 1980, working with a cast that included veteran character actor Barry Morse alongside Lesleh Donaldson in the lead role and Kay Hawtrey as the grandmother. Fruet, who'd cut his teeth in Canadian cinema throughout the 1970s, understood how to build dread in confined spaces. The film clocks in at 92 minutes—lean and purposeful, never overstaying its welcome. What's striking about Cries in the Night is that it emerged during the slasher boom of the early 1980s, when the market was flooded with imitators trying to capitalize on the success of Halloween and Friday the 13th. Yet this Canadian production had something those films didn't: a premise rooted in genuine unease. A funeral home converted into a place of hospitality? The irony is almost too perfect. The production brought together Canadian talent and a straightforward approach to horror that prioritized atmosphere over big-budget set pieces. When you're tracking where films are available to stream, Movie OTT helps you find these hidden gems that might otherwise slip past your radar entirely.
What Makes Cries in the Night Stand Out
There's a particular kind of dread that comes from watching strangers arrive at a location you already know is dangerous. The audience knows something's wrong before the characters do—that's the engine of suspense here. Kay Hawtrey's performance as the grandmother carries an odd ambiguity; you're never quite sure what she knows or doesn't know, and that uncertainty is the film's greatest asset. Lesleh Donaldson, in the central role, grounds the narrative with a performance that feels genuinely concerned rather than performative. She's not screaming for effect—she's reacting to something real and terrible happening around her. The supporting cast, including Dean Garbett and Stephen E. Miller, adds texture to the ensemble of guests who populate the inn. What nobody mentions is how the film's setting—that converted funeral home—becomes almost a character itself. The bones of its former purpose linger in every room, every hallway. It's not jump-scare horror; it's the kind that settles into your chest and stays there. The pacing is deliberate, sometimes to a fault (the film holds a 5.1 rating on IMDb, which suggests it won't work for everyone), but there's craft in that slowness. Fruet's direction trusts that you'll be patient if the mood is right.
Where to Stream Cries in the Night Online
If you're looking to watch Cries in the Night, you can find it currently available on Prime Video. The film's availability on major streaming platforms means it's more accessible now than it was for years after its initial release—when it largely existed in the shadows of horror fandom. Movie OTT tracks current streaming availability across multiple platforms, so you can confirm where titles are playing in your region before you start searching. Since streaming catalogs shift regularly, the widget at the top of this page will show you the most up-to-date information on where you can stream this 1980 Canadian horror entry right now.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed Cries in the Night?
William Fruet directed this 1980 Canadian horror film. Fruet was an experienced filmmaker in Canadian cinema who brought a methodical, atmospheric approach to the slasher formula.
Q: What's the runtime of Cries in the Night?
The film runs 92 minutes, making it a lean entry in the horror genre that doesn't linger longer than necessary to tell its story.
Q: Is Cries in the Night based on a true story?
No, Cries in the Night is a fictional horror narrative. The premise—a bed-and-breakfast operated out of a former funeral home where guests disappear—is an original concept designed to maximize psychological unease.
Q: Where can I watch Cries in the Night?
The film is currently available to stream on Prime Video, as detailed in the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for Cries in the Night?
Cries in the Night holds a 5.1 out of 10 rating on IMDb, indicating mixed audience reception. Some viewers appreciate its atmospheric approach, while others find its pacing too slow.
Final Thoughts on Cries in the Night
Cries in the Night isn't a perfect film—the pacing won't suit everyone, and the plot mechanics occasionally creak under their own weight. But it's a genuinely interesting artifact of early-1980s Canadian horror, built on a premise that's cleverer than it first appears. If you're the kind of viewer who appreciates slow-burn dread over cheap scares, who doesn't mind a bit of restraint in your horror, it's worth your time. The converted funeral home setting alone makes it worth investigating.
