Tourist Trap Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A group of friends on a road trip stumble upon a roadside attraction run by a telekinetic maniac who turns people into mannequins, so basically, it’s a really creepy version of ‘Night at the Museum’.

🍿 Tourist Trap: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Stranded and Seeking Help

A group of young friends, including Eileen and Woody, find themselves stranded in the desert after a flat tire. Woody goes in search of a gas station, while the rest of the group, including Becky, Jerry, and Molly, continue driving and eventually reunite with Eileen. They decide to look for Woody together, leading them to a desolate and eerie roadside attraction.

The Lost Oasis and Mr. Slausen

The group stumbles upon ‘Slausen’s Lost Oasis,’ a run-down tourist trap filled with mannequins. They meet Mr. Slausen, the seemingly harmless owner, who offers to help them fix their vehicle. While Jerry works on the car, the girls go for a swim in a nearby oasis, where they encounter Mr. Slausen, who seems strangely embittered by the decline of his business due to the new highway.

Sinister Discoveries and Deadly Encounters

Eileen, curious about a nearby house, ventures off despite Mr. Slausen’s warnings. Inside, she finds more mannequins and is attacked by a masked figure with telekinetic powers. Objects move on their own, and Eileen is strangled to death. The remaining friends soon realize that something sinister is afoot as they search for their missing companions.

Captivity and Telekinetic Terror

Becky and Jerry are captured and held in the basement of the house. They discover another captive, Tina, who is brutally murdered. Jerry manages to escape but is quickly overpowered, revealing that the masked killer possesses telekinetic abilities. Meanwhile, Molly is pursued by the masked figure, leading to a confrontation with Mr. Slausen.

The Unmasking and a Fight for Survival

Molly encounters Mr. Slausen again, who reveals himself to be the masked killer. Becky and Jerry attempt to escape, but Becky is killed by animated figures in the museum. Molly, now alone, must confront Slausen and his telekinetic powers to survive the night.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mr. Slausen (Chuck Connors): The seemingly friendly owner of a roadside museum who is revealed to be a telekinetic killer with a penchant for mannequins.
• Molly (Jocelyn Jones): The prudish young woman who survives the ordeal but is left traumatized and possibly insane.
• Jerry (Jon Van Ness): One of the friends who tries to protect the group but ultimately becomes a mannequin.
• Becky (Tanya Roberts): One of the attractive young women who falls victim to Slausen’s deadly tourist trap.
• Eileen (Robin Sherwood): One of the doomed travelers, whose curiosity leads to her early demise in the film.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Davey: “My brother always makes me wear this stupid mask. Do you know why? Because I’m prettier than him.” – Said by the character wearing the mask, hinting at the distorted reality within the film.
• Mr. Slausen: “We’re having a party! Your world is dark.” – Said by Mr. Slausen, emphasizing his dominance and the hopeless situation of his victims.
• Mr. Slausen: “See my friend!” – Mr. Slausen introduces Molly to a mannequin, highlighting the unsettling nature of his world.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Tourist Trap Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched Tourist Trap on a late night TV showing, and those mannequins have haunted me ever since. Chuck Connors’ performance is surprisingly unsettling, and the film’s eerie atmosphere really gets under your skin. There’s a scene where a character’s face is turned into a plaster mask that I still find disturbing. It’s definitely a unique horror experience, not just another slasher flick.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic slasher films”
  • “Horror enthusiasts looking for unique and unsettling movies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate psychological horror and suspense”
  • “People who enjoy films with creepy atmospheres and supernatural elements”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing imagery involving mannequins”
  • “Psychological distress and themes of insanity”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Collider.com: “The Mannequins in This PG-Rated Horror Movie Will Traumatize You. Its unique blend of slasher and supernatural horror makes it a standout film from the era. The film balances suspense and terror, leaving viewers on edge throughout.
• Bloody-disgusting.com: “Tourist Trap is one of Five Summer Slashers to Stream This Week. Its unusual blend of horror elements and creepy atmosphere makes it a memorable experience for horror fans.
• IMDB User Review: “The film branches off into different levels of insanity, to the point where kindly Mr. Slausen’s (Connors) mannequins begin to resemble real live people… Not a masterpiece but far from a waste of time, “Tourist Trap” is a montage of elaborate face-masks, creepy vocal distortion, atmospheric nights, and desperate, panicked emotion.

Audience Reactions

The creepy mannequins and Chuck Connors’ unsettling performance created a truly unique horror experience.: Viewers praise the film’s originality, eerie atmosphere, and Chuck Connors’ performance as the unsettling Mr. Slausen.

Overall Consensus: Tourist Trap is a cult classic slasher film praised for its originality, creepy atmosphere, and unsettling performances, particularly by Chuck Connors. However, some viewers find the plot confusing and the production values cheap.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Originally, John Carpenter was considered to direct, but he was replaced by David Schmoeller due to budget disagreements.”
• “Charles Band, the producer, insisted on incorporating telekinesis into the film, adding a supernatural element to the slasher formula.”
• “The film is notable for being one of the few slasher films to receive a PG rating, despite its unsettling and violent content. This was because the PG-13 rating didn’t exist yet.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tourist Trap?

As of October 2024, Tourist Trap is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD can also be found through online retailers like Amazon and other movie stores, providing a great option for collectors or those who prefer owning their movies. Be sure to compare prices to find the best deal!

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tourist Trap, you might like these similar films:

• House of Wax (2005): Features a similar premise of a roadside attraction with deadly wax figures and people being turned into wax figures.
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): Shares a similar isolated setting, a group of young people terrorized by a deranged family in a remote location.
• Psycho (1960): Features a seemingly harmless proprietor with a dark secret and a hidden, disturbed personality, creating a similar sense of unease.
• Puppet Master (1989): Directed by the same director David Schmoeller, it shares the theme of inanimate objects coming to life with sinister intentions.

🛒 Tourist Trap Related Products

• Tourist Trap (Blu-ray): A must-have for horror collectors, featuring a high-definition transfer and bonus content, allowing fans to experience the film in the best possible quality.
• Mannequin Head Display Stand: Display mannequin head to add that creepy Tourist Trap vibe to your home decor. Good for holding masks or hats.
• Telekinesis Prank Kit: An interactive kit to recreate telekinetic effects, letting fans playfully mimic Mr. Slausen’s powers and prank their friends.
• Creepy Mask Set: A collection of masks inspired by the film, allowing fans to cosplay or display these iconic horror props.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Tourist Trap Theme” – performed by Pino Donaggio
• “Main Title” – performed by Pino Donaggio

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Tourist Trap (1979) KILL COUNT

Ever wondered how many unfortunate souls met their end in ‘Tourist Trap’? This video breaks it all down with some dark humor. It’s a wild ride and honestly pretty satisfying to see it all tallied up!

Tourist Trap (1979) movie Review

Want to know if ‘Tourist Trap’ is actually worth your time? Cinemassacre dives into the film’s pros and cons in this review. I think he makes some great points, and you should definitely check it out before watching the movie!

Best of RiffTrax Tourist Trap

Need a laugh? This video compiles the funniest riffs from RiffTrax’s take on ‘Tourist Trap’. Honestly, it’s hilarious and makes the movie even more entertaining. Perfect for a more lighthearted watch!

✨ Rate