Nightmare arrived in 1981, during the height of the slasher film craze of the eighties. It stands out as one of the stronger entries from that period. The movie centers on a man living with mental illness in New York City. He breaks free from the institution where doctors were administering experimental treatments to him, attempting to both treat and understand his condition. We track his progress as he travels down the East Coast, leaving a trail of victims behind him. The film also shows us some of his dreams, which gradually shed light on the reasons for his disturbed state. Upon reaching his final destination, the man seems intensely focused on a specific family. This is how we meet CJ, a child who appears to be struggling with problems beyond his years. What draws this dangerous person to this particular household? You’ll need to watch the film yourself to discover it, as I intend to suggest you do. While Nightmare adheres closely to the conventions of the slasher genre, its distinguishing feature is that we are shown the killer throughout the entire movie; we witness his journey and see his face. He doesn't desire to kill, but feels powerless to stop himself. It’s easy to feel some understanding for him. The film also boasts remarkably well-executed gore and death sequences, especially considering its limited resources. There is considerable bloodshed, yet it never seems unnecessary or excessive; instead, it enhances the impact of those scenes. The gore is used skillfully, and the rest of the movie is strong enough that the dialogue and plot don’t feel like mere setups for the violent moments.

Source on TMDB