Movie Info
Movie Name: TerrorVision
Studio: Empire Pictures
Genre(s): Horror/Comedy/B-Movie
Release Date(s): February 14, 1986
MPAA Rating: R
A monster’s gotta eat
Wannabe swingers Raquel and Stanley Putterman (Mary Woronov and Gerrit Graham) have just gotten the ultimate gift…a TV satellite that can reach into the recesses of space for any channel they can dream up. Unfortunately, they receive a transmitted alien creature bent on eating everything it sees. Now, their children Sherman (Chad Allen) and Suzy (Diane Franklin) must stop the monster or befriend it…or the Earth could be destroyed!
Directed by Ted Nicolaou, TerrorVision is a horror-comedy spoof. The movie was released to negative reviews but gained a cult following over the years.
TerrorVision is one of those uniquely odd films. With Charles Band attached (always a sign), the movie goes for intentionally bad and intentionally “trash” style acting and storytelling. The movie is definitely not a horror-horror movie and more of a comedy (with an adult theme).
A family that swings together stays together!
The movie feels like a really long episode of Tales from the Darkside which had a similar tone and look. Unlike Tales from the Darkside, a lot of the jokes are adult. The movie goes on far too long and has little substance to carry the story. It is a surprisingly good parody of the ’80s and feels more reflexive than some of the ’80s parodies made after time had passed. I do kind of like the “oops” ending (another Tales from the Darkside sign).
The cast is a cast of actors that made a mark in this style of film. Mary Woronov always was a fan favorite and Diane Franklin had a rather successful record in the ’80s by even appearing in Amadeus. Jon Gries is a scene stealer as O.D., and Bert Remsen is fun as the war monger grandfather. Child-star Chad Allen plays the “lead” as Sherman but that doesn’t spare him in the end.
I’m like for sure!
The visuals for the movie are drenched in 1980s glory. The creature for the film is actually kind of clever looking and the movie is loaded with pastels and neons…it looks cheap, but that is the style that the director is going for (and in that sense he succeeds).
TerrorVision is definitely a product of the period it was released. It isn’t is for fans of the genre specifically and in the “so-bad-it-is-good” genre…but unlike a movie that tries to be good and fails, TerrorVision knows it is bad and revels in it. TerrorVision will please some but just be groan-worthy to most. Don’t tune in.
