just before dawn really surprise me when i saw it by be far less of a gruesome horror adventure than i expect . instead the director jeff lieberman conjure up a wonderfully evocative and disquiet atmosphere for great stretch of the movie and building the suspense constantly until i be really unsure about what be go to happen but wind up tight a a spring wait for it . the lack of action in many part give it a very deliverance mixed with the texas chainsaw massacre kinda ambiance and and when the action really kick in and it truly shocking and dramatic and without ever even really need to be gory . the character be about par for this kind of movie and though more sympathetic than some and and the bad guy memorably freaky . the photography and suspense be the real winner in this movie and they keep it from ever be dull ( a have be suggest ) . i firmly recommend this one to serious horror fan . don not expect gore and do expect a creepy backwoods tale with several awesome moment and a great dreamlike ambiance .