‘Tourist Trap’ Blu-ray Review (101 Films)

Stars: Chuck Connors, Jocelyn Jones, Jon Van Ness, Robin Sherwood, Tanya Roberts, Dawn Jeffory | Written by David Schmoeller, J. Larry Carroll | Directed by David Schmoeller

In the world of slasher films, a sub-genre that’s often more about body counts and formula than genuine scares, Tourist Trap stands out as a unique gem. While many classic slashers rely on predictable tropes – masked killers, doomed teens, and the lone “pure” survivor – this 1979 cult gem, directed by David Schmoeller (Crawlspace, Catacombs, Puppet Master, Netherworld) injects some eerie originality into the mix, offering something creepier, stranger, and far more unsettling than the norm.

The story unfolds on a desolate back road where a group of young travellers finds themselves stranded near a rundown roadside attraction: a dusty old mannequin museum run by the seemingly kind and soft-spoken Mr. Slausen. Of course, this being a horror film, things aren’t quite what they seem. As the teens explore the museum, they begin to uncover its deeply disturbing secrets—including a telekinetic, mask-wearing brother and mannequins that appear far too lifelike for comfort.

While the film’s narrative twists may be relatively easy to predict by modern standards, especially for seasoned horror fans, it’s not so much the what that matters, but the how. Schmoeller crafts a genuinely eerie atmosphere, using silence, uncanny imagery, and a haunting score to full effect. The mannequins, in particular, are put to chilling use: their jerky movements, blinking eyes, and sudden appearances are unnerving in ways that still resonate decades later. It’s a creative use of telekinesis in horror, not flashy or over-the-top, but slow and strange, making the viewer feel as if they’re being watched from every shadowy corner.

Chuck Connors gives a standout performance as Mr. Slausen. He balances warmth and menace with a quietly unhinged edge, anchoring the film with a character who feels unpredictable and increasingly dangerous. The supporting cast of doomed teens is likeable enough – refreshingly so, in fact – which raises the stakes just a little higher when things inevitably go wrong.

In a genre often content to recycle its ideas, Tourist Trap remains a fascinating outlier. It blends supernatural horror with slasher thrills, and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it adds enough bizarre flair to make it feel fresh even now. The final act, in particular, ramps up the weirdness and dread in a way that lingers long after the credits roll.

Special Features:

Brand new extras:

• “Dolls, Toys, Mannequins!” – Interview with Full Moon founder Charles Band
• “Texas Tourist Trap!” – Interview with editor Ted Nicolaou
• “They’re Alive!” – Interview with actress Jocelyn Jones
• “Holiday Horror” – Interview with film critic Chris Alexander

Archive extras:

• Audio commentary with director David Schmoeller
• Interview with director David Schmoeller
• Trailer

**** 4/5

For horror fans looking for something offbeat and genuinely creepy, Tourist Trap is one slasher that’s worth seeking out. The film has just been re-released on Blu-ray, as part of their Black Label range, by 101 Films.