When his son is accidentally killed by a motorcycle biker, isolated farmer Ed Harley (Henriksen) turns to a local witch for guidance.

And with her help, he summons the title monster - "the Pumpkinhead" - to be his instrument of revenge.

Soon, the clawed, fanged beast is carrying out a bloody reign of retribution exactly per Ed's wishes.

But when the time comes, can the grief-stricken farmer stop this invincible monster, or will he be doomed to join it in hell?

Filmmakers have a difficult time with folk legends, but it works in this case. The loss of the son is heartbreaking, and the demon is impressive.

The monster is a kind of variation on H.R. Giger's ALIEN model. One of the better horror films made during this period.