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The Trigger Effect (1996)

5.5
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Ratings: 5.5/10 from 3,829 users  
Reviews: 56 user | 22 critic

How tenuous is man's hold on civilization when survival becomes an issue? When the lights go out and stay out for several days, suburbanites Matthew and Annie learn the hard way that man is... See full summary »

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(television series Connections),
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Title: The Trigger Effect (1996)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
Joe
...
Raymond
...
Steph
...
Gary
Tori Kristiansen ...
Sarah
Tyra Kristiansen ...
Sarah
...
Johnny
Edhem Barker ...
Trendy German Guy
...
Tripping Guy
...
Hand Holding Guy
Monica Torres ...
Hand Holding Girl
...
Double Date Guy
Kerri Vickers ...
Double Date Girl
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Storyline

How tenuous is man's hold on civilization when survival becomes an issue? When the lights go out and stay out for several days, suburbanites Matthew and Annie learn the hard way that man is "by nature" a predatory creature. Matthew's long-time friend, Joe, happens by on the second day and a rivalry between the two friends simmers as Annie cares for her sick baby. When rumors of looting spread through the neighborhood, the two men buy a rifle for protection but Annie throws it in the pool. Later, that same night, Joe hears a prowler downstairs and awakens Matthew. They chase the stranger from the house and out into the street where a neighbor shoots him to death. No longer safe in their own home, they decide to drive to Annie's parents some 500 miles away. Before they reach their destination, more trouble comes their way when they stop to siphon gas from an abandoned car and discover the driver in the back seat... Is this what is meant by "man's inhumanity to man?" Written by Mark Fleetwood <mfleetwo@mail.coin.missouri.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

When Nothing Works, Anything Goes.

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

30 August 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Der große Stromausfall - Eine Stadt im Ausnahmezustand  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,887,791 (USA) (30 August 1996)

Gross:

$3,594,848 (USA) (27 September 1996)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The story is inspired by the classic Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street," which depicts the denizens of the street slowly becoming crazy after a power failure. In fact, in the film's production notes, Matthew and Annie live on the corner of Maple and Willoughby (another classic TZ episode, "A Stop At Willoughby"), obvious allusions to "The Twilight Zone". See more »

Goofs

When Matthew walks from the hospital to the pharmacist to steal the prescription for the baby, the trolley camera and the guy pulling it are reflected in the shop window. See more »

Quotes

[Her husband and Joe are arguing.]
Annie: Boys, if you can't play nice, we're not gonna have any more of these little sleepovers.
See more »


Soundtracks

"Blood, Guts & Firetrucks"
Written by Wesley Willis, Dave Nooks, Pat Barnard, Brendan
Murphy & Dale Meiners
Performed by The Wesley Willis Fiasco (as Wesley Willis Fiasco)
Courtesy of Urban Legends Records
See more »

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User Reviews

 
One of the worst movies I've seen...
28 December 1998 | by (High Prairie, Alberta) – See all my reviews

There are few things I hate more than being beaten over the head with the message a movie is trying to get across. The creators obviously became so wrapped up in conveying an interesting theme that they forgot about the importance of the other aspects of a good movie (character development, action, a PLOT)...This had potential- good actors, rising tension (in the beginning) and an interesting situation to be delt with. However, it soon became a downward spiral of events that were unbelievable and unoriginal. It became downright silly. The ending was so contrived it made me laugh. Even the acting didn't save this- I didn't care about these characters or what happened to them. This one will be *remembered?* as a movie that had potential but was unable to deliver.


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
What's with the poor rating on this movie? I thought it was great. lipanwrangler
Elisabeth Shue showing her nipple in the DVD version victorids
Did Matt find out Annie's infidelity? remadri2000
The opening sequence scumoftheearth
A very important movie, in light of Katrina... ashestwoashes2000
This films needs to be rediscovered remadri2000
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