Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Fran Rubel Kuzui
Produced by	Howard Rosenman Kaz Kuzui
Written by	Joss Whedon
Starring	Kristy Swanson Donald Sutherland Paul Reubens Rutger Hauer Luke Perry
Music by	Carter Burwell
Cinematography	James Hayman
Edited by	Jill Savitt
Production company	Sandollar Kuzui Enterprises
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	July 31, 1992 (1992-07-31)
Running time	86 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$7 million
Box office	$16,624,456

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a 1992 American comedy horror film about a Valley girl cheerleader named Buffy who learns that it is her fate to hunt vampires. The film starred Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry and Hilary Swank. It was a moderate success at the box office, but received mixed reception from critics. The film was taken in a different direction from the one its writer Joss Whedon intended, and five years later he created the darker and acclaimed TV series of the same name.

High school senior Buffy Summers (Kristy Swanson) is introduced as a stereotypical, shallow cheerleader at Hemery High School in Los Angeles. She is a carefree popular girl whose main concerns are shopping and spending time with her rich, snooty friends and her boyfriend, Jeffrey. While at school one day, she is approached by a man who calls himself Merrick (Donald Sutherland). He informs her that she is The Slayer, or Chosen One, destined to kill vampires, and he is a Watcher whose duty it is to guide and train her. She initially rebukes his claims, but is convinced that he is right when he is able to describe a recurring dream of hers in detail. In addition, Buffy is exhibiting uncanny abilities not known to her, including heightened agility, senses, and endurance, yet she repeatedly tries Merrick's patience with her frivolous nature, indifference to slaying and sharp-tongued remarks.