Forgotten 1980s Thriller 'Night of the Juggler' Resurfaces in NYC

In 2025, the forgotten 1980 thriller 'Night of the Juggler' is finally getting its due. The film, which was largely unavailable for decades, has undergone a 4K restoration and is now enjoying a limited theatrical run before a Blu-Ray release this fall.

Set in the late 1970s, 'Night of the Juggler' follows Sean Boyd, a former NYPD officer who was laid off after exposing police corruption. When Boyd's teenage daughter is accidentally kidnapped by a deranged sewer worker known as the "Mole Man," he embarks on a frantic chase through the gritty streets of New York City to rescue her. Along the way, he enlists the help of a Puerto Rican cab driver, played by Mandy Patinkin, in a thrilling 10-minute chase sequence that is considered one of the great unsung moments of late-period New Hollywood cinema.

Despite its initial release in 1980, 'Night of the Juggler' is very much a product of the 1970s, capturing the decay and dysfunction of New York City at the time. The film's ensemble of character actors, including Richard Castellano and Dan Hedaya, lend an authentic, lived-in feel to the proceedings. But the real standout is Cliff Gorman's chilling portrayal of the Mole Man, a psychopath with a grudge against the city's elite. His performance is both unsettling and nuanced, making him a memorable addition to the pantheon of 1970s urban horror.