Reviewed By Melissa Garza
A little known and underrated gem that far few horror fans know about, Tourist Trap delivers atmosphere, invokes fear, and creates tense situation after tense situation. The movie delivers on every level and deserves far more recognition than it generally gets.
Chuck Connors portrays Mr. Slausen, a polite owner of Slausen’s Lost Oasis. The Oasis is basically just a museum filled with dressed up mannequins, some of which are intertwined with Slausen’s stories and life; and all of which, are downright disturbing.
Four teenagers with car trouble happen by the Oasis on their attempt to locate their missing friend. Slausen offers refuge and to look at and possibly repair their vehicle. He allows them to stay inside, but warns them away from the house across from the museum where he states his crazy brother lurks. Slausen seems like a nice enough guy and though they don’t hesitate to poke fun at him, they for the most part trust his intentions.
Slight suspicions arise when Eileen (Robin Sherwood) asks to use his phone and is answered with, “Oh sure, help yourself… but it doesn’t work. I got nobody to call.” Stuck in the middle of nowhere, in a time before cell phones, without a means of contact, already leaves the characters vulnerable. He then leaves them alone in the museum.
Admittedly, this movie asks the audience to suspend a lot of disbelief and accept the many absurd twists and turns involved, but as incredibly strange as it becomes, it’s worth it. For example, the murders involve telekinetic powers, a man who could definitely be auditioning as a Leatherface impersonator, and mannequins that come to life. Even so, during the movie the flow, the dialogue and the atmosphere are so well done, the audience accepts the strangeness and just enjoys the film.
There are several very creepy moments. For example, in one scene the murderer is pouring plaster on the faces of his victim and taking enjoyment in their suffering. At one moment, Molly (Jocelyn Jones) standing outside alone in the dark, afraid for her life screams in terror for Mr. Slausen. She is petrified and because of the acting, it makes for an intense and frightening scene. Even the final few moments are absolutely ingenious at making the audience squirm and anxiously await the ending.
Some of the twists may be predictable to fans of horror films, but some of the occurrences are just to bizarre to call. Despite the lack of explanation to all of the paranormal activity that is witnessed, the fear that it invokes makes up for it. One doesn’t need everything spelled out when the effectiveness of the scenes work as well as the closing of this film does.
The movie does borrow some from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but in a way that only pays homage. Otherwise, it is a very original piece with the potential of a never-made sequel.
Scared Stiff Rating 8/10.
