"Terrorvision" is a fun little slab of 80s cheese. With the costumes,(ranging from Yuppie to Metal Head to Cyndi Lauper) slang, set decor, music (including a 5 sec shot of Blackie Lawless from W.A.S.P. >:) ) props (including a hi-fi with the one of the first CD players.) this movie doesn't need carbon dating to show it was made in that era. I first came across this film on the Sci-Fi Channel in the summer of 1999 (the defunct Vestron Television was the ones who distributed the edited mess and judging by the edits made for broadcast, this was aired circa the late 80s when FCC restrictions were *really* tight) I kinda threw it off as a bad movie. Years later, I picked up the complete R-rated video at the local mom-and-pop video store and watched it. The 2nd time around was way better than the first. My opinion changed after seeing the full version. If you like classic B-movie material meshed with the 80s, this is your movie.
80 Reviews
Lyrical Silly Charm
darkharvey12326 January 2007
Sherman Putterman is your standard alien monster film kid who has seen a monster but can't get anyone else to believe him. His grandpa (Bert Remsen in the film's best performance) is a survivalist promoting his lizard tail jerky product (the perfect food because lizards' tails grow back and you can eat it again) and hiding out in his well-stocked fallout shelter.
If it were possible for a complete parody to be called original, "Terrorvision" (1986) would be the first to qualify. This is another cheap Albert and Charles Band (Empire Studios) production, but is not as mindless as something like "Redneck Zombies" and even has a bit of lyrical (yet very silly) charm. Everyone involved is obviously having a good time and the creature is much like something Richard Carlson would have encountered in a 1950's sci-fi film, but with much more slime. Not until "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" would there be a more self-aware genre parody. Although rated "R" because of some off-color humor, it would not be worth denying middle schoolers the pleasure of viewing this film because the overall style and effect is best appreciated by that age group.
Sherman's swinging parents are Gerrit Graham (who played superstitious car salesman Jeff in "Used Cars") and Mary Woronov ("Eating Raoul").
1980's teen queen Diane Franklin plays Sherman's sister Suzy and Jon Gries (of "Pretender" fame) is her boyfriend "O.D." who is really into heavy metal music. Franklin is almost unrecognizable in her mid-1980's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" look.
Although the parody is primarily directed at the excessive cuteness of "ET", "Terrorvision" also goes after Elvira and Vampira with a similar late night horror show hostess called Medusa who wears a wig of snakes, has two enormous talents, and manages a host(ess) of semi-explicit puns.
The real star is an alien house pet whose mutation into a hungry beast forced its owners to send its atoms out into space. The film begins on a distant planet where this mutated pet is being processed at the mutated creature facility. A stray planet causes the creatures atoms to deflect through space until it finally is sucked down to earth by Sherman's father's new satellite dish.
By the middle of the film the monster has chewed and sucked its way through most of the family and their friends when Sherman, Suzy, and OD have an "ET" moment with it. The monster can mimic anyone it has eaten so the other cast members have a couple of post- demise scenes.
If it were possible for a complete parody to be called original, "Terrorvision" (1986) would be the first to qualify. This is another cheap Albert and Charles Band (Empire Studios) production, but is not as mindless as something like "Redneck Zombies" and even has a bit of lyrical (yet very silly) charm. Everyone involved is obviously having a good time and the creature is much like something Richard Carlson would have encountered in a 1950's sci-fi film, but with much more slime. Not until "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" would there be a more self-aware genre parody. Although rated "R" because of some off-color humor, it would not be worth denying middle schoolers the pleasure of viewing this film because the overall style and effect is best appreciated by that age group.
Sherman's swinging parents are Gerrit Graham (who played superstitious car salesman Jeff in "Used Cars") and Mary Woronov ("Eating Raoul").
1980's teen queen Diane Franklin plays Sherman's sister Suzy and Jon Gries (of "Pretender" fame) is her boyfriend "O.D." who is really into heavy metal music. Franklin is almost unrecognizable in her mid-1980's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" look.
Although the parody is primarily directed at the excessive cuteness of "ET", "Terrorvision" also goes after Elvira and Vampira with a similar late night horror show hostess called Medusa who wears a wig of snakes, has two enormous talents, and manages a host(ess) of semi-explicit puns.
The real star is an alien house pet whose mutation into a hungry beast forced its owners to send its atoms out into space. The film begins on a distant planet where this mutated pet is being processed at the mutated creature facility. A stray planet causes the creatures atoms to deflect through space until it finally is sucked down to earth by Sherman's father's new satellite dish.
By the middle of the film the monster has chewed and sucked its way through most of the family and their friends when Sherman, Suzy, and OD have an "ET" moment with it. The monster can mimic anyone it has eaten so the other cast members have a couple of post- demise scenes.
"Man, this is the dumbest movie I ever saw!"
lost-in-limbo7 October 2011
Charles Band and Albert Band's Empire pictures have made some fun productions and "Terrorvision" happens to be one of those inclusions. Wacky sci-fi horror comedy with a terrifically animated cast featuring Mary Woronov, Gerrit Graham, Diana Franklin and John Gries with vividly chintzy special effects by John Carl Buechler. The cartoon-like premise is quite original and mock-serious in its approach, which sees the Puttermans a suburban family getting a new satellite TV which draws in a hungry outer space monster (which looks great). This monster then goes about eating the family, by transporting its self from one TV to another. Everything is done in a comical manner and purposely so, from the flamboyant performances to the colourfully cheap sets and then the creatively grotesque make-up effects. It's downright goofy and surreal, but still far from light-hearted with it streaming with numerous oddball sexual innuendo (especially since Woronov and Graham are playing swingers) and an Elvira like character known as Medusa. Director Ted Nicolaou does a capable job. Diana Franklin is cute and Chad Allen is likable as the young boy who goes up against the beast. While short-lived, it's a constantly amusing tongue-in-cheek outing that's fairly unpredictable, while at the same time haphazard. Despite the fair share of hate, I found it hard not to like this camped-out medium.
"What you looking at you creep".
"What you looking at you creep".
Do not change that channel! Check out this hysterically bizarre film instead...
FlyBoyDC3 August 1999
TERRORVISION is a very peculiar horror-comedy that has the word "camp" labeled all over it. This fairy tale tells about a sloppy alien puppet monster who, presumably by accident, enters Planet Earth via a TV satellite dish. This enormous monster appears on the TV screen at first, then, talk about visual effects, it eventually materializes, appearing live, in the flesh! Talk about audience participation!!
Gerrit Graham (PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, THE ANNIHILATORS) and Mary Wodornov (EATING RAOUL) portray the Puttermans, a happily married suburban couple. They do not realize the "realism" of the monster they see on TV, HA! This so-called "couple" leads a VERY dysfunctional family with a military obsessed son and his survivalist grandfather. There is also a crazed daughter who loves heavy metal rock music, and her mentally inept boyfriend, who looks like Kid Rock minus the attitude and pizzazz. There is also a horror movie hostess, Medusa (Jennifer Richards) who fits into this scheme for absolutely no plausible reason. Meanwhile, the monster devours each of the family members one by one...later reproducing their heads when necessary in order to cover up its actions.
Planet Earth is in grave danger, once again and its only chance into stopping this hungry creature is an intergalactic police alien. He explains to everyone that this creature was originally suppose to be disposed of...but instead, it lands on Planet Earth. This interstellar alien cop is the only one who can blast the gross alien creature into oblivion but...well, I'm sure that you are interested in finding out the rest, so go see this movie!
TERRORVISION is a funny, hilarious horror cult film that has plenty of humor to liven this movie up. There are silly one-liners, hokey special effects, and a variety of "eccentric" characters to give this film strength. It is a stupid film at times, and the cast definitely overacts, but if you are looking for a nice, relaxing horror film that offers a very different style from the rest of the horror movies in this genre, then TERRORVISION is recommended for you!
This film was again produced by the one and only Empire Pictures, and you know what that means: cheesy special effects and acting galore! The monster especially is the most ludicrous...hairball-type creature that I have ever seen on screen. The rest of the special FX in this movie are standard fare though, with a elegant touch of cheekiness...
If you are in the mood for a humorously bad movie, then this picture is the perfect candidate for you! In addition to being a delightfully stomach churning horror experience, TERRORVISION is a satire on the media-obsessed suburban middle class family. Hey, these guys make "The Simpsons" look and act like those mature, civilized, and pleasantly lovable neighbors living next door. If you thought that your own family may be "dysfunctional," hey (trust me), the family portrayed in this movie will add new meaning to that word!
For a fine sense of humor that will appeal to cult film fans, TERRORVISION is destined to become that next "special" classic. Beware, if you are not prepared to laugh and be disgusted at the same time, then perhaps you should skip this film...
RATING: ** out of ****.
Gerrit Graham (PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, THE ANNIHILATORS) and Mary Wodornov (EATING RAOUL) portray the Puttermans, a happily married suburban couple. They do not realize the "realism" of the monster they see on TV, HA! This so-called "couple" leads a VERY dysfunctional family with a military obsessed son and his survivalist grandfather. There is also a crazed daughter who loves heavy metal rock music, and her mentally inept boyfriend, who looks like Kid Rock minus the attitude and pizzazz. There is also a horror movie hostess, Medusa (Jennifer Richards) who fits into this scheme for absolutely no plausible reason. Meanwhile, the monster devours each of the family members one by one...later reproducing their heads when necessary in order to cover up its actions.
Planet Earth is in grave danger, once again and its only chance into stopping this hungry creature is an intergalactic police alien. He explains to everyone that this creature was originally suppose to be disposed of...but instead, it lands on Planet Earth. This interstellar alien cop is the only one who can blast the gross alien creature into oblivion but...well, I'm sure that you are interested in finding out the rest, so go see this movie!
TERRORVISION is a funny, hilarious horror cult film that has plenty of humor to liven this movie up. There are silly one-liners, hokey special effects, and a variety of "eccentric" characters to give this film strength. It is a stupid film at times, and the cast definitely overacts, but if you are looking for a nice, relaxing horror film that offers a very different style from the rest of the horror movies in this genre, then TERRORVISION is recommended for you!
This film was again produced by the one and only Empire Pictures, and you know what that means: cheesy special effects and acting galore! The monster especially is the most ludicrous...hairball-type creature that I have ever seen on screen. The rest of the special FX in this movie are standard fare though, with a elegant touch of cheekiness...
If you are in the mood for a humorously bad movie, then this picture is the perfect candidate for you! In addition to being a delightfully stomach churning horror experience, TERRORVISION is a satire on the media-obsessed suburban middle class family. Hey, these guys make "The Simpsons" look and act like those mature, civilized, and pleasantly lovable neighbors living next door. If you thought that your own family may be "dysfunctional," hey (trust me), the family portrayed in this movie will add new meaning to that word!
For a fine sense of humor that will appeal to cult film fans, TERRORVISION is destined to become that next "special" classic. Beware, if you are not prepared to laugh and be disgusted at the same time, then perhaps you should skip this film...
RATING: ** out of ****.
Totally trash
ricardovs2713 December 2005
Well, I have watched this movie when I was a teen, about 15 years ago, and recently found it in a VHS sale. Of course I picked it at once, because I could not help myself smiling at the sight of it. The movie is a trash jewel, any fan of horror flicks should watch it at least once in their lives. The performances are poor and over the top, the effects are cheesy, the script is a complete turmoil... But I dare say that you have to like it! The one that has never seen a pure garbage movie throw the first stone. The productions from Empire, owned by Charles Band, are famous for the lack of common sense and this is not an exception. Like I stated before, do not expect anything but an hour and a half of involuntary laughs, it is a totally trash movie through and through.
TV - TV - Foooooooooooooood!
hoversj28 October 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Can't help it, I love this dorky pile of schlock. While, yes, it is a bad homage to cheesy horror films, it has a "certain naive charm."
Plot: An alien pet which has been disintegrated and shot into space (the alien equivalent of "putting to sleep") is accidentally picked up by a haywire satellite receiver (remember back when they were the size of a hot tub, rather than a dinner plate?) and begins to appear - and come out of - the various TVs of the Putterman household.
The Puttermans aren't your average family, either - Mom and Dad like to swing (and the house is LOADED with the least tasteful erotic art I've ever seen), Grampa is some kind of vet who lives in the basement/bomb shelter and tries to sell people on the ultimate survival food - lizard tail jerky ("you break off its tail, and it grows another one, then you break that one off, and it grows another one!!"), sister Suzy is a Cyndi Lauper clone, and Sherman, the baby (well, he's probably about 12) seems normal, but comments are constantly being made as to his "meds" and the possibility of being sent back to the doctor... It's like the Addams family by way of the self-serving 80s.
(spoilers)
So the alien starts to eat people. That's because it's a Hungry Beast - its insatiable appetite is what got it vaporized in the first place. It can also extrude simulacrums of anyone whom it has eaten, and speak in their voices - meaning that even after dad and mom are appetizers, they can still tell the kids to butt out when questioned about what's going on in their bedroom. ("Gross!")
Oh, and there's a lot of goo.
However, the movie takes a sentimental turn when Sherman, who has only survived by breaking every TV in sight ("securing the perimeter") and set off grenades, is joined by his sister and her boyfriend O.D. (a metalhead, complete with black leather and spikes) - they manage to make friends with the beast and start training it to speak (O.D. - "you know, like in that movie with the ugly little alien that made you cry like a butt-head.").
Nothing nice lasts, and the ending leaves you wondering just how much of the world the Hungry Beast may be able to devour.
My favorite part (among many) of this movie is Medusa - she's a late-night horror hostess (very much an Elvira clone with a head of foam-rubber snakes) who Sherman calls and tells about the monster. I also love Grampa's attitude toward TV: "War flicks and monster movies - they're both survival oriented!"
The movie is never taken seriously (even by the actors, who ham up every moment), and just plain fun to boot. In a world of cheese, this is one of those movies I come back to over and over again.
One parting warning (courtesy of Grampa): "Brain shot - gets 'em every time!!!"
Plot: An alien pet which has been disintegrated and shot into space (the alien equivalent of "putting to sleep") is accidentally picked up by a haywire satellite receiver (remember back when they were the size of a hot tub, rather than a dinner plate?) and begins to appear - and come out of - the various TVs of the Putterman household.
The Puttermans aren't your average family, either - Mom and Dad like to swing (and the house is LOADED with the least tasteful erotic art I've ever seen), Grampa is some kind of vet who lives in the basement/bomb shelter and tries to sell people on the ultimate survival food - lizard tail jerky ("you break off its tail, and it grows another one, then you break that one off, and it grows another one!!"), sister Suzy is a Cyndi Lauper clone, and Sherman, the baby (well, he's probably about 12) seems normal, but comments are constantly being made as to his "meds" and the possibility of being sent back to the doctor... It's like the Addams family by way of the self-serving 80s.
(spoilers)
So the alien starts to eat people. That's because it's a Hungry Beast - its insatiable appetite is what got it vaporized in the first place. It can also extrude simulacrums of anyone whom it has eaten, and speak in their voices - meaning that even after dad and mom are appetizers, they can still tell the kids to butt out when questioned about what's going on in their bedroom. ("Gross!")
Oh, and there's a lot of goo.
However, the movie takes a sentimental turn when Sherman, who has only survived by breaking every TV in sight ("securing the perimeter") and set off grenades, is joined by his sister and her boyfriend O.D. (a metalhead, complete with black leather and spikes) - they manage to make friends with the beast and start training it to speak (O.D. - "you know, like in that movie with the ugly little alien that made you cry like a butt-head.").
Nothing nice lasts, and the ending leaves you wondering just how much of the world the Hungry Beast may be able to devour.
My favorite part (among many) of this movie is Medusa - she's a late-night horror hostess (very much an Elvira clone with a head of foam-rubber snakes) who Sherman calls and tells about the monster. I also love Grampa's attitude toward TV: "War flicks and monster movies - they're both survival oriented!"
The movie is never taken seriously (even by the actors, who ham up every moment), and just plain fun to boot. In a world of cheese, this is one of those movies I come back to over and over again.
One parting warning (courtesy of Grampa): "Brain shot - gets 'em every time!!!"
I could really go for an 80s style microwave pizza right now
bigfrog629 April 2018
Featuring a Bill and Ted prototype, special effects ranging from the surprisingly good to the straight out of the intro from MST3k, a hot girl with big 80s hair (which apparently I still have a thing for)... this movie is an 80s junk food fest. What more could you want?
TerrorVision: Campy horror comedy romp
Platypuschow25 October 2017
Terrorvision was one of those 80's cult classics that I never got round to watching until now, I went in expecting very little but came away quite amused.
Telling the story of an extraterrestrial being beamed down to earth into a families satellite dish and running rampant with an unearthly hunger its a scifi comedy horror that actually entertains.
With a host of familiar faces and a retro soundtrack this creature feature actually looks quite good considering its age. It reminded me of Critters (1986) and alike that the creators didn't take it all too seriously.
Over the top, silly yet at the same time quite horrific this is a true 80's gem and a lot of fun.
The Good:
Great creature effects
Likable cast
All looks the part
The Bad:
Feels very dated in places
Things I Learnt From This Movie:
If you prank call the police they'll block your number
Being "Greek" in the swinging world means you're gay
Telling the story of an extraterrestrial being beamed down to earth into a families satellite dish and running rampant with an unearthly hunger its a scifi comedy horror that actually entertains.
With a host of familiar faces and a retro soundtrack this creature feature actually looks quite good considering its age. It reminded me of Critters (1986) and alike that the creators didn't take it all too seriously.
Over the top, silly yet at the same time quite horrific this is a true 80's gem and a lot of fun.
The Good:
Great creature effects
Likable cast
All looks the part
The Bad:
Feels very dated in places
Things I Learnt From This Movie:
If you prank call the police they'll block your number
Being "Greek" in the swinging world means you're gay
A couple of memorable scenes in a dreadful movie ..........
merklekranz28 May 2012
"Terror Vision" is a sci-fi/monster schlockfest that features some creative creature features, along with cult movie actors Mary Woronov and Gerrit Graham. The remainder of the cast demonstrates zero acting skills, and the simple minded plot is totally forgettable. Woronov and Graham shine in a couple of memorable scenes as "swingers". Their outrageous "pleasure zone" house and it's erotic interior decorating is terrific. The remainder of "Terror Vision" is cartoon like and definitely dreadful. Certain black comedy aspects of "Terror Vision" and the presence of Mary Woronov, remind me of a far better film, "Eating Raoul"....... - MERK
Cult-Trash
claudio_carvalho16 March 2018
Stan (Gerrit Graham) installs a state-of-art satellite TV system for his dysfunctional family. However, he accidentally picks up a signal from another planet and his television system becomes the gateway between the two planets. A ravenous alien creature comes to his apartment and only their son Sherman (Chad Allen) sees the monster, but his parents do not believe in the boy.
"TerrorVision" is a cult-trash from the 80´s and a highly entertaining sci-fi. The characters and the situations are hilarious but maybe the funniest scene is Medusa meeting the last hope to save Earth, Pluthar. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "A Visão do Terror" ("The Terror Vision")
"TerrorVision" is a cult-trash from the 80´s and a highly entertaining sci-fi. The characters and the situations are hilarious but maybe the funniest scene is Medusa meeting the last hope to save Earth, Pluthar. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "A Visão do Terror" ("The Terror Vision")
So '80s it almost hurts!
MetalGeek19 October 2009
I'm one of those people who still gets a fuzzy sense of '80s nostalgia when I see the Empire International Pictures logo at the beginning of a film. Charles and Albert Band's notorious low-budget studio held a special place in my heart as a B-movie lovin' teen and many of their films, including this one, still have a decent cult following today. My fave Empire Pictures film will always be "Robot Jox," but "TerrorVision" is a borderline camp classic in its own right that is definitely worth a look for lovers of vintage '80s cheez. They don't make'em like this one anymore! Our plot, such as it is, concerns the comically over-the-top Putterman family, consisting of a swinging, sexually liberated Mom and Dad (played by Mary Woronov and Gerrit Graham), their imaginative son Sherman (Chad Allen), daughter Suzy (an oh-so-80s fashion victim who resembles a cross between Kelly Bundy and Cyndi Lauper) and the military-obsessed Grampa. The Puttermans have just installed a new satellite TV system which unfortunately gets its wires crossed with an alien planet's electronic mutant-disposal system, resulting in a googly-eyed, slimy, toothy monster being sucked into the Putterman's TV set through the dish. Eventually the bug-eyed critter manages to manifest itself outside of the TV set and begins munching on the Putterman family and their friends, much to the dismay of Sherman and Suzy, who attempt to stop the creature before it can devour the rest of the Earth. (Yikes!) The monster is hilariously goofy looking, the acting is intentional over the top mugging, and the set design is straight up '80s MTV inspired. Throw in a busty "Elvira" wanna-be TV horror host (here called "Medusa") for no good reason, add a brain-dead headbanger in a W.A.S.P. t-shirt (one of my favorite 80s bands; you hear their song "Tormentor" for about two seconds while the kids channel surf, prompting Grampa to rant about "moral decay") and you've got true Z-Movie heaven in a box.
"TerrorVision" is obviously not to be taken seriously, so if you're a "real" horror buff, just leave this one on the shelf and find another movie. However, if you have a sense of humor and don't mind seeing some genre stalwarts over-acting (on purpose) in a silly-on-purpose horror comedy that's one part "Howard the Duck" and one part "Little Shop of Horrors" then feel free to check out "TerrorVision."
"TerrorVision" is obviously not to be taken seriously, so if you're a "real" horror buff, just leave this one on the shelf and find another movie. However, if you have a sense of humor and don't mind seeing some genre stalwarts over-acting (on purpose) in a silly-on-purpose horror comedy that's one part "Howard the Duck" and one part "Little Shop of Horrors" then feel free to check out "TerrorVision."
TerrorVision owns the WORLD!
FatLadyKILLER30 January 2005
TerrorVision is one of the most original B-Films ever made. A very sexy Elvira type woman named Medusa, a heavy metal dude named OD, plenty of awesome FX and alien monsters. Ted Nicolaou directed this horror/sci-fiction/comedy. Movies like this need to be released. I swear, I have seen some HORRIBLE films make the DVD jump. Why in the hell can't TerrorVision? Its an absolute crime. A CRIME I tell you! But wait! Now, you too can help. Yes, thats right. There's now a petition to get TerrorVision on DVD once and for all! It is located at PetitionSpot.com. I'm having trouble posting the link for it, so if it doesn't work go to google or petitionspot and look fr the TerrorVision DVD petition. Come on, go sign it and help!
Terrific horror comedy
singhlall24 August 2020
Insufferable 80's guff
Coventry27 March 2006
Oh I'm sorry, was this supposed to be funny?!? "Terrorvision" is another hugely irritating and completely retarded 80's horror "comedy", produced by Albert & Charles Band under their notorious Empire Studios label. I know that many horror fans list this pile of junk high among their guilty pleasures, and I can accept that, because it would mean that everybody also realizes that the film basically is B.A.D! We're introduced to an all-American family of which the father clumsily installs a satellite dish in the backyard. Mum and dad Putterman are swingers, grandpa is obsessed by warfare and eating lizard tails, the teenage punk-daughter is in love with an imbecile who uses the word "dude" twice in every sentence and the most normal family member the son has to take pills in order not to hallucinate all day. Okay then! Onwards with an intergalactic pet from the planet Pluton that gets teleported through the satellite, eating its way through the Putterman-family and replacing the TV-dinners with exact replicas. "Terrorvision" could have been mildly amusing but the cast members act way too hectic and the script doesn't contain any real gags, just silly creature effects and grotesque situations. The absolute rock bottom moment of the film is an overlong and painfully lame sequence in which the kids educate the monster about earthly values. Good luck trying to sit through that!
Good ole fun
one4now425 October 2003
This is a movie I've kind of been wanting to see. I am ready to add this to my list of personal favorites after watching it for the first time, so I know they did some stuff right. While it's still fresh in my mind, there are some things I definitely want to say. First off, I am extremely surprised that this doesn't seem to have a cult following to it. "TerrorVision" is a great film that should have definitely achieved cult status. From the start (after some credits set to music by Siouxsie and the Banshees imitators!), this has a definite John Waters look and feel. When the fast-paced story moves into grotesque monster territory, it gets even better. And, regardless of how goofy it is, I dig the commentaries the filmmakers are sprinkling all throughout this movie, the main one of all being the most obvious: television giving birth to monsters. This is definitely one of those wild movies that gets weirder and more bizarre as it moves along. As for people quoting favorite lines from Bert Remsen's "Gramps" character, I love it when he refers to MTV as a secret conspiracy to rot the brain. "TerrorVision" wasn't as gory as I've heard, relying more on gooey FX than gory ones, but there are no complaints here. I love this, it was a real upper of a flagrant horror satire. I am so glad I saw this, and I would give it no less than a definite 9 on a scale of one to ten. In fact, I'm tempted to give it a full 10.
An Empire movie produced by Charles Band. Yup--it's THAT bad!
preppy-319 October 2009
Dreadful "horror comedy". Stupid plot involving some creature that attacks a family from their TV set. It seems the creature was supposed to be destroyed but accidentally went flying through space and ended up on Earth...or something like that. To be honest I was so bored I could have cared less. The comedy in this is abysmal. The whole cast plays it on the edge of hysteria (I'm guessing they saw the rushes and realized what they were stuck in). The horror content is nonexistent. The "special" effects are among the worst I ever saw. The monster is SO pathetic I really was astounded. About 40 minutes in I was bored and thoroughly annoyed with this. I kept watching because I realized I would NEVER be watching this again. The only good parts of this was the acting of Mary Woronov and Gerrit Graham (both exploitation pros who knew exactly how to play this) and seeing Chad Allen as a kid. No laughs, no horror, no NOTHING. Skip it.
80s Cheesfest
slayrrr66612 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
"TerrorVision" is one of the cheesiest creature features of all time.
**SPOILERS**
Installing a new satellite dish, Stanley Putterman, (Gerrit Graham) and his family Racquel, (Mary Woronov) Suzy, (Diane Franklin) and Sherman, (Chad Allen) begin rifling through their new stations and constantly come across a particular alien creature in their searches. When the creature appears out of the TV, no one takes it seriously despite the evidence all over house. As the alien starts attacking the various people in the house, they finally realize that there is one from outer space and are forced to fight off the creature before being sent back to it's own dimension.
The Good News: This film here is the very definition of a cheesy feature. From the moment the creature is on display, there is no stopping it's cheesiness. There's no getting around this, either, as there are constant reminders to this. The hair-styles, the campy nature of the comedy, the fact that the premise itself is nearly unbelievable and much, much more is included in the film's cheesy repertoire. The comedy, surprisingly, generates the majority of the cheese, as there's enough odd-characterizations and situational humor to really get a lot out of the film. The creature, which is surprisingly well-done and looks decently in the situation, is perhaps the next best example. With the pink skin, grotesque tentacles, plant-like head and variations on the face make it just so cheesy that the monster is quite memorable. It's not seriously threatening, but it does have a great look to it that seems to emulate a great number of monsters but giving itself it's own look and personality. It has a really interesting to generate kills, by sticking it's claws onto a victim and then draining them into a giant pile of green goo that is done in some nice scenes, which look pretty convincing and not at all that bad. They just add to the cheesy nature of it all, and that's about all what the film really is.
The Bad News: There isn't a lot here, but most of the film is so cheesy, that it's hard to really take anything at all seriously. An alien who comes to Earth through a satellite TV and preys upon a family while the young son and daughter chase the creature around while trying to explain to the unbelieving authorities that it exists just screams cheese and that might not be a viable to some. It's too ridiculous to take seriously, and that may not be an experience some will want to throw themselves upon. There is one sequence the film really does have a problem, and that is in the taming sequence. That the monster, which had no problem attacking the other members of the household, stops dead for one of the most contrived reasons and attempts to be domesticated by the remaining members is too off to be anything more than an aggravation, as the methods used to do so are pretty painful to watch and aren't at all funny. It is explained as being a plausible occurrence, the film still has it and it really doesn't serve any purpose other than to trash the house for the police get there to disprove the story. It really should've been cut out, as the monster had been a viable threat up until then and to turn it around wasn't exactly all that great. But the main problem with this will be the cheese, which won't be all that well received.
The Final Verdict: One of the ultimate epitomes of a cheese-fest, this one really manages to get interesting and entertaining. There's nothing really wrong with it, it's just incredibly cheesy and isn't really recommended to those who can't stand those kinds of movies.
Rated R: Violence, some Language, nude drawings and strong sexual themes
**SPOILERS**
Installing a new satellite dish, Stanley Putterman, (Gerrit Graham) and his family Racquel, (Mary Woronov) Suzy, (Diane Franklin) and Sherman, (Chad Allen) begin rifling through their new stations and constantly come across a particular alien creature in their searches. When the creature appears out of the TV, no one takes it seriously despite the evidence all over house. As the alien starts attacking the various people in the house, they finally realize that there is one from outer space and are forced to fight off the creature before being sent back to it's own dimension.
The Good News: This film here is the very definition of a cheesy feature. From the moment the creature is on display, there is no stopping it's cheesiness. There's no getting around this, either, as there are constant reminders to this. The hair-styles, the campy nature of the comedy, the fact that the premise itself is nearly unbelievable and much, much more is included in the film's cheesy repertoire. The comedy, surprisingly, generates the majority of the cheese, as there's enough odd-characterizations and situational humor to really get a lot out of the film. The creature, which is surprisingly well-done and looks decently in the situation, is perhaps the next best example. With the pink skin, grotesque tentacles, plant-like head and variations on the face make it just so cheesy that the monster is quite memorable. It's not seriously threatening, but it does have a great look to it that seems to emulate a great number of monsters but giving itself it's own look and personality. It has a really interesting to generate kills, by sticking it's claws onto a victim and then draining them into a giant pile of green goo that is done in some nice scenes, which look pretty convincing and not at all that bad. They just add to the cheesy nature of it all, and that's about all what the film really is.
The Bad News: There isn't a lot here, but most of the film is so cheesy, that it's hard to really take anything at all seriously. An alien who comes to Earth through a satellite TV and preys upon a family while the young son and daughter chase the creature around while trying to explain to the unbelieving authorities that it exists just screams cheese and that might not be a viable to some. It's too ridiculous to take seriously, and that may not be an experience some will want to throw themselves upon. There is one sequence the film really does have a problem, and that is in the taming sequence. That the monster, which had no problem attacking the other members of the household, stops dead for one of the most contrived reasons and attempts to be domesticated by the remaining members is too off to be anything more than an aggravation, as the methods used to do so are pretty painful to watch and aren't at all funny. It is explained as being a plausible occurrence, the film still has it and it really doesn't serve any purpose other than to trash the house for the police get there to disprove the story. It really should've been cut out, as the monster had been a viable threat up until then and to turn it around wasn't exactly all that great. But the main problem with this will be the cheese, which won't be all that well received.
The Final Verdict: One of the ultimate epitomes of a cheese-fest, this one really manages to get interesting and entertaining. There's nothing really wrong with it, it's just incredibly cheesy and isn't really recommended to those who can't stand those kinds of movies.
Rated R: Violence, some Language, nude drawings and strong sexual themes
Hokey and Strange
jellopuke17 October 2017
This is a weird one about an alien that comes through the TV and absorbs people. It's trying to be a comedy with some gore and some of it works really well, like the Gramps character, but other parts fall flat, like the valley girl daughter. Not gory enough to be horror and not funny enough to be comedy, it falls in the middle and never really reaches the top. Worth watching but it's no classic.
Good Parody, the "R" Rating is Not Justified
aimless-4622 January 2007
If it were possible for a complete parody to be called original, "Terrorvision" (1986) would be the first to qualify. This is another cheap Albert and Charles Band (Empire Studios) production, but is not as mindless as something like "Redneck Zombies" and even has a bit of lyrical (yet very silly) charm. Everyone involved is obviously having a good time and the creature is much like something Richard Carlson would have encountered in a 1950's sci-fi film, but with much more slime. Not until "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" would there be a more self-aware genre parody. Although rated "R" because of some off-color humor, it would not be worth denying middle schoolers the pleasure of viewing this film because the overall style and effect is best appreciated by that age group.
Sherman Putterman is your standard alien monster film kid who has seen a monster but can't get anyone else to believe him. His grandpa (Bert Remsen in the film's best performance) is a survivalist promoting his lizard tail jerky product (the perfect food because lizards' tails grow back and you can eat it again) and hiding out in his well-stocked fallout shelter.
Sherman's swinging parents are Gerrit Graham (who played superstitious car salesman Jeff in "Used Cars") and Mary Woronov ("Eating Raoul").
1980's teen queen Diane Franklin plays Sherman's sister Suzy and Jon Gries (of "Pretender" fame) is her boyfriend "O.D." who is really into heavy metal music. Franklin is almost unrecognizable in her mid-1980's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" look.
Although the parody is primarily directed at the excessive cuteness of "ET", "Terrorvision" also goes after Elvira and Vampira with a similar late night horror show hostess called Medusa who wears a wig of snakes, has two enormous talents, and manages a host(ess) of semi-explicit puns.
The real star is an alien house pet whose mutation into a hungry beast forced its owners to send its atoms out into space. The film begins on a distant planet where this mutated pet is being processed at the mutated creature facility. A stray planet causes the creatures atoms to deflect through space until it finally is sucked down to earth by Sherman's father's new satellite dish.
By the middle of the film the monster has chewed and sucked its way through most of the family and their friends when Sherman, Suzy, and OD have an "ET" moment with it. The monster can mimic anyone it has eaten so the other cast members have a couple of post- demise scenes.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Sherman Putterman is your standard alien monster film kid who has seen a monster but can't get anyone else to believe him. His grandpa (Bert Remsen in the film's best performance) is a survivalist promoting his lizard tail jerky product (the perfect food because lizards' tails grow back and you can eat it again) and hiding out in his well-stocked fallout shelter.
Sherman's swinging parents are Gerrit Graham (who played superstitious car salesman Jeff in "Used Cars") and Mary Woronov ("Eating Raoul").
1980's teen queen Diane Franklin plays Sherman's sister Suzy and Jon Gries (of "Pretender" fame) is her boyfriend "O.D." who is really into heavy metal music. Franklin is almost unrecognizable in her mid-1980's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" look.
Although the parody is primarily directed at the excessive cuteness of "ET", "Terrorvision" also goes after Elvira and Vampira with a similar late night horror show hostess called Medusa who wears a wig of snakes, has two enormous talents, and manages a host(ess) of semi-explicit puns.
The real star is an alien house pet whose mutation into a hungry beast forced its owners to send its atoms out into space. The film begins on a distant planet where this mutated pet is being processed at the mutated creature facility. A stray planet causes the creatures atoms to deflect through space until it finally is sucked down to earth by Sherman's father's new satellite dish.
By the middle of the film the monster has chewed and sucked its way through most of the family and their friends when Sherman, Suzy, and OD have an "ET" moment with it. The monster can mimic anyone it has eaten so the other cast members have a couple of post- demise scenes.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Television Will Eat You!
wes-connors30 June 2013
To begin this unpleasant horror satire, the planet Pluton disposes of a big ugly, mutated monster by blasting it into outer space. Unfortunately for Earthlings, it is directed to our planet and gets picked up by the TV satellite dish installed by gregarious Gerrit Graham (as Stanley Putterman). The alien monster lives in television airwaves and eats people. Others in the host family are: Mr. Graham's wife-swapping partner Diane Franklin (as Suzy), their punky teenage daughter Mary Woronov (as Raquel), cute blond pre-teen son Chad Allen (as Sherman) and lizard-loving old Bert Remsen (as Grampa)...
Young Allen tries to tell the family there is a monster in the television, but everyone is too self-absorbed to believe him. The monster eventually appears more comfortable outside of television. Allen, Ms. Franklin and her heavily metallic boyfriend Jonathan "Jon" Gries (as O.D. Riley) try to make friends with the creature. A concerned alien from Pluton warns Earth the monster could eat everyone on the planet. Bosomy horror TV hostess Jennifer Richards (as Medusa) is called in to help. Alejandro Rey and Randi Brooks have fun poolside, as a "swinging" hot couple. Everyone tries hard and the sets are cool.
***** TerrorVision (2/14/86) Ted Nicolaou ~ Diane Franklin, Chad Allen, Jon Gries, Gerrit Graham
Young Allen tries to tell the family there is a monster in the television, but everyone is too self-absorbed to believe him. The monster eventually appears more comfortable outside of television. Allen, Ms. Franklin and her heavily metallic boyfriend Jonathan "Jon" Gries (as O.D. Riley) try to make friends with the creature. A concerned alien from Pluton warns Earth the monster could eat everyone on the planet. Bosomy horror TV hostess Jennifer Richards (as Medusa) is called in to help. Alejandro Rey and Randi Brooks have fun poolside, as a "swinging" hot couple. Everyone tries hard and the sets are cool.
***** TerrorVision (2/14/86) Ted Nicolaou ~ Diane Franklin, Chad Allen, Jon Gries, Gerrit Graham
Is Stanley a "manly man"?
PredragReviews19 August 2016
This movie is an all-time classic! Filled with wonderful characters and classic one-liners. If you grew up in the 80's and liked metal and monster movies, then trust me, see this movie, it's totally unique. Every line in this movie is funny. It has a sort of dreamlike quality, that makes the humor and glop go together like liver and ice cream! Graham and Woronov are brilliant in their absurd roles.
Basically this is a sci-fi horror comedy from the producers of "Re-Animator" and from the studio that made that movie known as Empire Pictures! Sure the acting is kind of bad and the plot is a bit absurd but hey this movie is just plain goofy fun. The director intended it to be a cartoonish kind of film, the film has excellent creature effects and a dark sense of humor. The script tosses in a buxom late-nite movie hostess, guaranteeing that wife-swapping, head-banging, machine-gunning and relentless squishing won't deprive us of flesh. Though never really over the top, "Terror Vision" is consistent fun.
Overall rating: 7 out of 10.
Basically this is a sci-fi horror comedy from the producers of "Re-Animator" and from the studio that made that movie known as Empire Pictures! Sure the acting is kind of bad and the plot is a bit absurd but hey this movie is just plain goofy fun. The director intended it to be a cartoonish kind of film, the film has excellent creature effects and a dark sense of humor. The script tosses in a buxom late-nite movie hostess, guaranteeing that wife-swapping, head-banging, machine-gunning and relentless squishing won't deprive us of flesh. Though never really over the top, "Terror Vision" is consistent fun.
Overall rating: 7 out of 10.
Like a bad kids' film
The_Void27 June 2006
TerrorVision is apparently a horror-comedy; but I have a problem with this. Any horror in the film is laughable; but like the rest of the movie, it's not laughable in the funny kind of way. No, this film is just lame, and unlikely to be enjoyed by anyone over (or under) the age of ten. I'll get the positive elements of the movie out of the way quickly so I can comment on the more prolific bad elements of the film. The film is about a newly installed satellite dish that begins to receive signals from another planet. These signals are apparently (and fittingly) another planet's rubbish that they've converted into energy to get rid of it. However, a trash monster is accidentally beamed down, and begins to cause trouble. To director Ted Nicolaou's credit, he does create a good and fitting atmosphere, as the film always feels like one of those tacky TV shows that America makes. The film gets off to a lively start with a daft song that is played over the opening credits, and a glimpse at the offending alien world. The good points end there, however, as it's all downhill from then on.
We are introduced to an array of irritating characters, including a punk girl and her 'Bill and Ted' style boyfriend, a swinging pair of parents, the common 'senile' grandfather and some kid who hallucinates, apparently. From there on out, it's obvious that there's going to be little in the way of interesting elements in this amazingly dull film, and despite the scriptwriter's best efforts at being funny; this film really is anything but. Aside from being lame, the film is also boring as most of the running time concerns the characters wallowing in their own weirdness; and all this showed me is that swinging can be very boring (not that I've ever actually tried it...). The creature effects are purposefully silly, but look like something out of a kids program; not a proper movie, and since the film focuses mainly on the kids; it does feel very much like a movie made for children, and so in unlikely to offer anything in the way of enjoyment for serious horror fans. I do realise that this is meant to be a bit of fun and isn't to be taken seriously; but it's not fun and that's the problem. Avoid.
We are introduced to an array of irritating characters, including a punk girl and her 'Bill and Ted' style boyfriend, a swinging pair of parents, the common 'senile' grandfather and some kid who hallucinates, apparently. From there on out, it's obvious that there's going to be little in the way of interesting elements in this amazingly dull film, and despite the scriptwriter's best efforts at being funny; this film really is anything but. Aside from being lame, the film is also boring as most of the running time concerns the characters wallowing in their own weirdness; and all this showed me is that swinging can be very boring (not that I've ever actually tried it...). The creature effects are purposefully silly, but look like something out of a kids program; not a proper movie, and since the film focuses mainly on the kids; it does feel very much like a movie made for children, and so in unlikely to offer anything in the way of enjoyment for serious horror fans. I do realise that this is meant to be a bit of fun and isn't to be taken seriously; but it's not fun and that's the problem. Avoid.
A collectible classic. Unforgettable Sci-Funny movie.
htcstechmail-support20 January 2006
8 (or more) out of 10 for those of us who like this particular genre. Otherwise it just may not be for you. If you like good comedy timing, some great lines and a well put together cast of characters then this one is for you. The story is pretty original. A stray transportation beam is accidentally caught by the Putterman family's el-cheapo satellite receiver and a large stray pet alien dog-like creature materialises inside the Putterman mansion. The Putterman's are swingers and leave to meet and later invite the 'Man's Man' Spiro, a muscular Greek gay to their residence. While their gone, we meet the kids, grandpa and the pet-thing. The kids try and train the alien pet who unfortunately isn't normal, even to alien standards and proceeds to eat friends, relatives and almost anyone who drops by.
Parts of the film remind me of Eating Raoul, The Big Bus and a little bit of Bucakroo Banzai as it plays like a cartoon. The main theme (Terrorvision) is really catchy. All in all, a movie that you are bound to watch again, just to re-experience some great lines and scenes.
Parts of the film remind me of Eating Raoul, The Big Bus and a little bit of Bucakroo Banzai as it plays like a cartoon. The main theme (Terrorvision) is really catchy. All in all, a movie that you are bound to watch again, just to re-experience some great lines and scenes.
Enjoyable, odd "Poltergeist" rip off
Groverdox4 November 2017
"TerrorVision" is an odd sci-fi/horror/comedy that seems to wear its "Poltergeist" influence on its sleeve. Either that or the filmmakers didn't care enough to hide the debt they owe to that movie.
The plot is about an otherworldly monster that comes - where else? - through the TV. Its arrival is even noticed by a cute little blond kid, a boy this time (Heather O'Rourke, R. I. P.).
The movie also doubles as a kind-of satire about middle class attitudes of the time as "Poltergeist" did, though that is barely noticeable. I liked the patriarch complaining about the punk/metal slacker his daughter brings home to meet the family, saying he looks ridiculous while putting metal chains around his neck to draw attention to his ample chest hair (they're preparing for a "'swingers' party", you see).
I admit I will watch anything with Diane Franklin in it. She's barely recognizable this time around, so heavily punked up you wonder why her parents are so shocked at the sight of her boyfriend - his own parents would probably be more shocked to see her.
I mentioned the movie was "odd" at the beginning of this review. I said that for a couple of reasons: one, despite the movie apparently being set in boring, staid 1980s suburbia, the house the characters live in looks like something out of "A Clockwork Orange". There are all kinds of weird art deco touches to the furnishing, like doors that belong on a submarine airlock. There's even semi-pornographic art work on the walls.
The other weird thing about this movie is that all the blood in it is green. Not just the monster blood (paging R. L. Stine) - I mean the human blood. I couldn't work out why humans in this movie have green blood. Was that simply to avoid a harder rating? Overall, it's an enjoyable movie for horror/b-movie fans which unsurprisingly died on a theatrical release. It's not "a truly wretched movie" (Janet Maslin) - if you're a fan of these types of movies, you know there are much worse out there. It's well enough made, well enough acted, funny at times, and has some cool gore effects.
The plot is about an otherworldly monster that comes - where else? - through the TV. Its arrival is even noticed by a cute little blond kid, a boy this time (Heather O'Rourke, R. I. P.).
The movie also doubles as a kind-of satire about middle class attitudes of the time as "Poltergeist" did, though that is barely noticeable. I liked the patriarch complaining about the punk/metal slacker his daughter brings home to meet the family, saying he looks ridiculous while putting metal chains around his neck to draw attention to his ample chest hair (they're preparing for a "'swingers' party", you see).
I admit I will watch anything with Diane Franklin in it. She's barely recognizable this time around, so heavily punked up you wonder why her parents are so shocked at the sight of her boyfriend - his own parents would probably be more shocked to see her.
I mentioned the movie was "odd" at the beginning of this review. I said that for a couple of reasons: one, despite the movie apparently being set in boring, staid 1980s suburbia, the house the characters live in looks like something out of "A Clockwork Orange". There are all kinds of weird art deco touches to the furnishing, like doors that belong on a submarine airlock. There's even semi-pornographic art work on the walls.
The other weird thing about this movie is that all the blood in it is green. Not just the monster blood (paging R. L. Stine) - I mean the human blood. I couldn't work out why humans in this movie have green blood. Was that simply to avoid a harder rating? Overall, it's an enjoyable movie for horror/b-movie fans which unsurprisingly died on a theatrical release. It's not "a truly wretched movie" (Janet Maslin) - if you're a fan of these types of movies, you know there are much worse out there. It's well enough made, well enough acted, funny at times, and has some cool gore effects.
Skip This Channel, There Might be Something Better On
jamhorner11 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
TerrorVision was not a horror, despite what I had originally thought, and it is more of a campy B-movie horror that it was made out to be. The story is about an alien that, presumably by accident, teleports to Earth via a TV satellite dish. It appears on the TV set numerous times and then, eventually, materializes into reality and starts wrecking comedy havoc.
The Puttermans are your typical suburban family with a few disturbing things about them. They seem to be a little to contempt with themselves, they have dress in a "Barbie doll house" manner, they seem to pay little attention to their son and more about business. They demonstrate and portray your stereotypical 1980s yuppie rather than an average suburban family. The grandfather, who is a war vet seems very schizophrenic and delusional at points and lets his grandson play with live ammo and firearms and the parents seem to not care. In fact, they lock their son in with him even after the alien kills granddaddy and mimics his naked body.
TerrorVision is a funny, hilarious horror cult film that has plenty of humor to liven this movie up. There are a lot of one-liners, cheesy special effects and the film can be stupid at times but it was still an OKAY movie, I would not see it again. There are points were the characters overact and some points where your wondering "What the hell is gong on?" or "Did they really let him do that?"
If you are in the mood for the definition of campy-movie, then this movie is perfect for you! TerrorVision does include a very clever and original satire on the 80s suburban couple. In fact, I could go as far to say that his family is your textbook example of a very dysfunctional family, and I'm including the alien in this too. But for horror fanatics I would not recommend this for you, but if you are a cult movie follower, I would strongly recommend this movie for you.
The Puttermans are your typical suburban family with a few disturbing things about them. They seem to be a little to contempt with themselves, they have dress in a "Barbie doll house" manner, they seem to pay little attention to their son and more about business. They demonstrate and portray your stereotypical 1980s yuppie rather than an average suburban family. The grandfather, who is a war vet seems very schizophrenic and delusional at points and lets his grandson play with live ammo and firearms and the parents seem to not care. In fact, they lock their son in with him even after the alien kills granddaddy and mimics his naked body.
TerrorVision is a funny, hilarious horror cult film that has plenty of humor to liven this movie up. There are a lot of one-liners, cheesy special effects and the film can be stupid at times but it was still an OKAY movie, I would not see it again. There are points were the characters overact and some points where your wondering "What the hell is gong on?" or "Did they really let him do that?"
If you are in the mood for the definition of campy-movie, then this movie is perfect for you! TerrorVision does include a very clever and original satire on the 80s suburban couple. In fact, I could go as far to say that his family is your textbook example of a very dysfunctional family, and I'm including the alien in this too. But for horror fanatics I would not recommend this for you, but if you are a cult movie follower, I would strongly recommend this movie for you.
See also
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