TerrorVision
TerrorVision is a 1986 American science fiction horror comedy film directed by Ted Nicolaou, in which a suburban family's experimental satellite dish inadvertently intercepts a transmission from an alien world, allowing a grotesque, sludge-like monster to emerge through their television set and wreak havoc.[1] The film was produced by Empire Pictures, a company founded by Charles Band, with Albert Band serving as producer and Charles Band contributing to the story alongside screenwriter Ted Nicolaou.[2] Key cast members include Diane Franklin as the family's teenage daughter Suzy, Gerrit Graham and Mary Woronov as her eccentric parents, Chad Allen as her younger brother Sherman, and Jon Gries as Suzy's boyfriend O.D., a heavy metal wannabe.[2] Shot on a modest budget typical of mid-1980s independent horror, TerrorVision blends elements of creature features, family dysfunction satire, and 1980s pop culture references, including parodies of extraterrestrial invasion tropes and late-night TV hosting.[3] Upon its release, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics, earning a 10% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on a small sample of contemporary assessments that praised its zany energy but criticized its uneven execution.[3] Despite this, it has developed a cult following over the years for its over-the-top humor, practical effects, and nostalgic portrayal of 1980s suburban life invaded by sci-fi absurdity, often highlighted in retrospectives on genre cinema from the era.[3] The movie runs 83 minutes and is rated R for its comedic violence, gore, and suggestive content.[1]Synopsis
Plot
In the opening sequence, a humanoid alien on a distant planet attempts to dispose of hazardous toxic waste by converting it into energy and beaming it into space via a satellite transmission. Unbeknownst to the alien, the waste has mutated into a grotesque, carnivorous creature known as the Hungry Beast—a slimy, multi-eyed monster with tentacles and the ability to shape-shift by mimicking the appearances and voices of its victims, as well as regurgitating acidic vomit to dissolve and consume them.[4][5] On Earth, Stanley Putterman installs a massive, experimental satellite dish in the backyard of his suburban home to improve his family's television reception, eager to keep up with the latest technology. The Putterman household is a chaotic blend of 1980s dysfunction: Stanley and his wife Raquel are enthusiastic swingers obsessed with hedonistic parties; their teenage daughter Suzy embodies youthful rebellion, preparing for a date while clashing with her parents' lifestyle; young son Sherman, fascinated by survival gear and Cold War drills, spends time with their paranoid grandfather, a reclusive veteran who hoards supplies in the basement fallout shelter and dotes on his pet lizards while watching horror movies on TV. The installation succeeds dramatically when a storm surge activates the dish, inadvertently intercepting the alien signal and channeling the Hungry Beast directly into the family's television system.[6][7][8] As the family settles in for an evening of viewing, interrupted by MTV-style music video segments featuring Suzy's heavy metal boyfriend O.D. performing in a rock band, the creature begins to manifest. It first emerges in the basement, where it attacks and devours Grandpa by crushing his head and dissolving his body with acidic bile, then shape-shifts into his form to lure Sherman. The boy escapes but struggles to convince his family of the danger amid their distractions—Raquel and Stanley host a swinger rendezvous with neighbors Cherry and Spiro in the "Pleasure Vision" bedroom. The Beast rampages through the house, vomiting acid on the adults during their escapades, consuming them one by one, and mimicking their voices to trap others. O.D. arrives for his date with Suzy, blasting heavy metal music from his van, and briefly attempts to "tame" the creature by feeding it junk food and playing guitar, only to meet a gruesome end as it dissolves him.[4][5][7] Sherman and Suzy, now aware of the threat, call a local TV station for help, connecting with Medusa, a flamboyant horror movie hostess who arrives at the house in her signature low-cut gown. Accompanied by a bumbling TV repairman, Medusa joins the siblings in confronting the Beast, which has grown larger from its feasts and continues its mimicry to pick off intruders, including a responding police officer. The creature's grotesque form—pulsing with veins, multiple eyes, and dripping slime—contrasts with the film's comedic tone, amplified by absurd interruptions like O.D.'s rock videos and the family's hedonistic antics. As the rampage escalates, Sherman rigs explosives from household items and Grandpa's survival stash to combat the monster.[6][8][5] In the climax, the original Plutonian alien teleports to Earth to rectify the mistake, warning the survivors via TV that the Beast must be eradicated to prevent global catastrophe. However, Medusa mistakenly blasts the benevolent alien with a ray gun, allowing the unchecked creature to dissolve her, Sherman, and Suzy in a burst of acid. The film ends on a darkly ironic note as a shape-shifted version of Medusa—now the Beast in disguise—hijacks a car and heads to the TV station, poised to spread terror through the airwaves.[4][7][5]Cast
The principal cast of TerrorVision (1986) includes several character actors known for their work in 1980s cult films, blending horror, comedy, and science fiction elements. Diane Franklin portrays Suzy, the rebellious teenage daughter of the Putterman family who navigates family chaos while pursuing her punk rock interests. Franklin, who rose to prominence in early 1980s teen comedies, had previously starred as the object of affection in The Last American Virgin (1982) and as the French exchange student in Better Off Dead (1985), roles that established her as a staple in coming-of-age stories before transitioning to genre fare like TerrorVision. Gerrit Graham plays Stanley Putterman, the enthusiastic father fixated on the family's new satellite dish technology. Graham, a veteran of satirical comedies, brought his experience from Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise (1974), where he played the flamboyant Swan, and the ensemble comedy Used Cars (1980), to infuse Stanley with over-the-top energy typical of his character roles. Mary Woronov depicts Raquel Putterman, the self-absorbed aerobics-obsessed mother. A fixture in independent and B-movies, Woronov had recently appeared in the black comedy Eating Raoul (1982) and the post-apocalyptic horror Night of the Comet (1984), showcasing her deadpan delivery in eccentric, genre-bending parts that aligned well with TerrorVision's tone. Chad Allen stars as Sherman, the curious young son of the family. As a child actor in the mid-1980s, Allen had gained visibility through the family sitcom Our House (1986–1988), marking his early foray into horror with TerrorVision alongside more mainstream television work. Jon Gries (credited as Jonathan Gries) appears as O.D., Suzy's sleazy heavy metal musician boyfriend. Gries, fresh from supporting roles in comedies like Real Genius (1985) as the eccentric Lazlo Hollyfeld, brought a comedic edge to O.D. that echoed his knack for quirky sidekicks in 1980s films. Bert Remsen rounds out the family as Gramps, the paranoid grandfather living in the basement. A prolific character actor with over 100 credits spanning decades, Remsen had notable turns in Robert Altman's Carny (1980) and westerns like The Buffalo Soldiers (1977), providing grounded, grizzled authenticity to the film's more fantastical elements.| Actor | Role | Notes on Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Diane Franklin | Suzy | Punk rocker teen leading family dynamics. |
| Gerrit Graham | Stanley Putterman | Tech-obsessed patriarch. |
| Mary Woronov | Raquel Putterman | Vain, fitness-focused matriarch. |
| Chad Allen | Sherman | Innocent younger brother. |
| Jon Gries | O.D. | Suzy's rocker boyfriend. |
| Bert Remsen | Gramps | Suspicious grandfather in the basement. |