Child in the Night
Child in the Night is a 1990 American television film broadcast during the 1990 May sweeps. It aired on the CBS Network before a subsequent release to home video and syndication. The psychological thriller stars JoBeth Williams as a child psychologist, Tom Skerritt as a local police chief and introduced Elijah Wood as a troubled witness to a brutal slaying. Darren McGavin co-starred.
| Child in the Night | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Mystery/Thriller/Suspense |
| Written by | Michael Petryni |
| Directed by | Mike Robe |
| Starring | JoBeth Williams Tom Skerritt Elijah Wood Darren McGavin Season Hubley |
| Theme music composer | Mark Snow |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Mike Robe |
| Producer(s) | Ian Martin John Perrin Flynn (co-producer) Benjamin A. Weissman (co-producer) |
| Cinematography | Gerald Hirschfeld |
| Editor(s) | Benjamin A. Weissman |
| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Allied Communications Jayhawk Productions Mike Robe Productions |
| Distributor | CBS |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | May 1, 1990 |
Plot
In Seattle, nine-year-old Luke Winfield (Elijah Wood) is the only witness to his father's murder at the hands of a rain-slicker-wearing killer with a cargo hook. However, the boy fantasizes the murderer as Captain Hook, in an escape from the traumatic reality. Detective T. Bass (Tom Skerritt), who is in charge of the investigation enlists child psychologist, Dr. Hollis (JoBeth Williams) who's failed marriage was caused by her inability to have children. While getting closer to Luke she has an affair with Bass. She also discovers some troubling family secrets ensuring she is next to be slain.
Cast
- JoBeth Williams – Dr. Hollis
- Elijah Wood – Luke
- Tom Skerritt – Bass
- Season Hubley – Valerie
- Tim Choate – Curt
- Darren McGavin – Os Winfield
- Stephen Godwin – Scott Winfield
- Karen Trumbo – Julia Fiori
- John Aylward – Dr. Wendt
- Laura Langwell – Sharon O'Bannon
- Don Hohenstein – Jackie's Date
- J.R. Knotts – Ivan Decker
- John Procaccino – Detective
- Philip Jacquez – Taxi Driver (uncredited)
- Rick May - Captain Hook