Review: Tourist Trap (1979)

Tourist Trap (1979) is a uniquely eerie entry in the late ’70s horror canon, blending elements of the slasher and supernatural thriller genres to create an unsettling experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Directed by David Schmoeller and produced by Charles Band, the film takes a familiar setup—young travelers stumbling upon a strange roadside attraction—and twists it into a nightmarish fever dream filled with living mannequins, bizarre telekinetic powers, and a villain as unnerving as he is compelling.

At the heart of Tourist Trap’s effectiveness is Chuck Connors, whose performance as the mysterious and menacing Mr. Slausen is both unexpected and chilling. Known primarily for his heroic roles in Westerns, Connors leans fully into the film’s off-kilter tone, making Slausen alternately charming, tragic, and terrifying. His ability to shift between avuncular warmth and sinister cruelty adds layers to what could have been a standard horror antagonist, making him one of the film’s strongest assets.

Jocelyn Jones delivers an intense and emotionally charged performance as Molly, the film’s de facto final girl. Unlike many horror heroines of the era, Jones brings a palpable sense of fear and desperation to her role, making Molly’s plight feel raw and immediate. Her reactions to the increasingly surreal horrors surrounding her help ground the film, even when the special effects—often silly, gimmicky, and clearly hampered by the film’s lean budget—threaten to tip it into camp territory.

Yet, despite some of its more dated technical aspects, Tourist Trap thrives on its relentlessly creepy ambiance. The dilapidated roadside museum, filled with grotesque, whispering mannequins, creates an overwhelming sense of dread that permeates the entire film. The combination of unsettling visuals and an eerie, off-kilter score by Pino Donaggio ensures that even the film’s most absurd moments remain deeply disturbing.

And then there’s the final scene—an unforgettable, macabre image that cements Tourist Trap as a cult classic. It’s the kind of bleak, unhinged ending that iconic horror films are made of, ensuring that the film leaves viewers with a lasting sense of unease.

While it may not have the polish of its more well-known slasher contemporaries, Tourist Trap is a bizarre and nightmarish gem, offering a truly unique horror experience. For those willing to embrace its eccentricities, it delivers plenty of chills, an unsettling villain, and an atmosphere thick with dread.

Wren Valentino