TerrorVision Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Family buys a new satellite dish and accidentally gets a monster from space who really likes to eat people and watch TV, and the kid who takes pills is the only one who notices.

🍿 TerrorVision: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Putterman Family and Satellite TV

The Putterman family, consisting of Stan and Raquel, their teenage daughter Suzy, and young son Sherman, get a new satellite TV system. Stan’s amateur installation leads to unusual signals being received, initially dismissed as mere glitches. The family’s eccentricities are quickly established: Stan and Raquel are swingers, Suzy is a punk rocker, Sherman is a horror fanatic, and Grandpa is a survivalist.

The Arrival of the Hungry Beast

Unbeknownst to the Puttermans, their satellite dish picks up a signal from the planet Pluton, a garbage disposal transmission containing a mutated creature. This creature, dubbed the “Hungry Beast,” enters their world through the TV. Sherman is the first to witness the monster emerging from the screen, but his claims are dismissed by his parents and Grandpa.

The Monster’s Rampage

The Hungry Beast begins to terrorize the family and their guests, consuming them one by one. Grandpa is the first victim, followed by a repairman and a swinging couple invited over by Stan and Raquel. The monster can mimic the voices and appearances of its victims, adding to the confusion and horror.

An Unlikely Alliance

Suzy and her metalhead boyfriend, O.D., eventually encounter the monster. Surprisingly, O.D.’s spiked wristbands remind the creature of someone from its past, leading to a brief truce. They attempt to befriend and even train the monster, teaching it to speak and exposing it to rock and roll. However, this alliance is short-lived.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sherman (Chad Allen): The young, often disbelieved son who is the first to realize the dangers of the monster and tries to warn his family.
• Stan (Gerrit Graham): The father who installs the satellite dish, inadvertently unleashing the monster upon his family and neighborhood.
• Raquel (Mary Woronov): The mother, preoccupied with her social life and swinging activities, who initially dismisses her son’s warnings.
• O.D. (Jon Gries): Suzy’s heavy metal boyfriend who initially befriends the monster, until it eats him.
• The Monster (Frank Welker (voice)): A ravenous alien creature that enters Earth through a satellite dish and begins consuming the Putterman family and their friends.
• Grampa (Bert Remsen): The survivalist grandfather who initially dismisses the monster as non-existent, but is the first victim.
• Pluthar (William Paulson): An alien sanitation captain from Pluton who warns Earth about the mutated monster but is killed by Medusa.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grampa Putterman: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, war stories and monster movies are educational. They’re survival-oriented. They always neutralize the enemy in the end.” – Grampa explains his love for monster movies, highlighting their survival-oriented themes and educational value.
• O.D.: “This dude’s into metal!” – O.D. makes an observation about the monster.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $500,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: $320,256
• Worldwide Gross: $320,256

💥 TerrorVision Reviews

Personal Review

I saw this movie as a kid and it totally warped my sense of humor, in a good way! The monster is so goofy looking, but the way it eats people is kinda disturbing. I loved how the family was so messed up, and the Medusa character was just hilarious! It made me want to install a giant satellite dish and see what weirdness I could pull in. Definitely a fun, nostalgic ride.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s horror-comedy”
  • “Viewers who appreciate campy B-movies”
  • “Those looking for a silly, over-the-top monster movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gore and monster violence”
  • “Suggestive themes and partial nudity”
  • “Crude humor”

Professional Reviews

• JoBlo.com: “A campy and often hilarious horror-comedy that lovingly embraces its B-movie status. The creature effects are surprisingly good, and the performances are delightfully over-the-top. It’s a fun, ridiculous ride perfect for fans of cheesy 80s horror.
• Bloody-Disgusting.com: “While some may find it too absurd, ‘TerrorVision’ is a celebration of 80s excess and a tongue-in-cheek commentary on television culture. It’s not scary, but it’s definitely entertaining, with plenty of goofy moments and memorable characters.

Audience Reactions

The over-the-top characters and bizarre plot were laugh-out-loud funny.: Viewers generally agree that the film is a cheesy but entertaining B-movie with a unique 80s aesthetic and a memorable monster.

Overall Consensus: A cult classic for fans of cheesy 80s horror comedies. Not scary, but packed with goofy moments and memorable characters.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Ted Nicolaou and production designer Giovanni Natalucci scouted swingers’ pads in Los Angeles in order to get ideas for the Putterman household, contributing to the film’s over-the-top, satirical depiction of suburban life.”
• “The film’s soundtrack, featuring the quirky art-punk band The Fibonaccis, perfectly complements the movie’s bizarre and humorous tone. The band’s unique blend of lounge and punk music, with retro influences, enhances the overall campy atmosphere of TerrorVision.”
• “John Carl Buechler, known for his special effects work in many horror films, designed the memorable and intentionally goofy monster in TerrorVision. The monster’s slimy appearance and exaggerated features contribute to the film’s comedic horror style.”

🖥️ How to Watch TerrorVision?

As a cult classic, “TerrorVision” may be available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray might be available through online retailers like Amazon or specialty stores, but availability may fluctuate due to its status as a cult film.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed TerrorVision, you might like these similar films:

• Night of the Creeps (1986): Shares a similar blend of horror and comedy with over-the-top practical effects and a self-aware tone.
• They Live (1988): Features a satirical take on media consumption and societal control, themes also present in TerrorVision’s critique of television.
• Videodrome (1983): Explores the disturbing and transformative effects of television on reality and perception, offering a darker, more surreal take on similar themes.
• Slither (2006): A modern horror-comedy with grotesque practical effects, dark humor, and a story about an alien parasite infecting a small town.

🛒 TerrorVision Related Products

• TerrorVision [Blu-ray]: TerrorVision on Blu-Ray. Special features include original trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with the cast and crew. High-definition quality showcases the film’s vibrant visuals and creature effects.
• TerrorVision Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original ‘TerrorVision’ movie poster. Printed on durable, archival-quality paper, this poster captures the film’s iconic artwork and vibrant colors.
• Medusa TerrorVision T-Shirt: Officially licensed ‘TerrorVision’ t-shirt featuring the horror host Medusa. Made from soft, comfortable cotton, this shirt is a stylish way to show off your appreciation for the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

TerrorVision features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “TerrorVision” – performed by The Fibonaccis

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Brandon’s Cult Movie Reviews: TERRORVISION

Ever wondered if TerrorVision holds up? Brandon Tenold breaks it down in his cult movie review! Honestly, his passion for these kinds of films is infectious, and he points out details you’d probably miss on your own.

Dr. Wolfula- “TerrorVision” Review

Doctor Wolfula thinks the 80s were too weird to be true, and TerrorVision is pure genius. You should watch his review if you also like weird cult films!

TerrorVision (1986) Monster Madness

Cinemassacre’s Monster Madness takes on TerrorVision! If you’re into practical effects and cheesy monsters, this quick review will definitely be up your alley – gets straight to the gooey good stuff!

✨ Rate