Tourist Trap

Tourist Trap

Year: 1979

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: David Schmoeller

Horror

As a family embarks on a nostalgic journey to retrace their ancestral footsteps, a dark discovery awaits them on the open road.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Tourist Trap (1979)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Tourist Trap (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, capturing the essence of a modern road trip gone awry. It reflects societal attitudes of the time through its characters and their interactions, emphasizing the dangers lurking in forgotten places.

Location

Slausen's Lost Oasis, Ghost Town

Slausen's Lost Oasis is a dilapidated tourist trap located in a desolate desert, shrouded in mystery and decay. Once a thriving attraction, it now serves as a haunting backdrop for sinister events, marked by animated wax figures and unsettling mannequins. The ghost town atmosphere amplifies the feelings of isolation and dread experienced by the characters.

🏜️ Desert 🏚️ Abandoned

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:13

Main Characters – Tourist Trap (1979)
Meet the key characters of Tourist Trap (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Eileen (Robin Sherwood)

Eileen is adventurous and curious, embarking on a journey with her boyfriend that turns harrowing. Her inquisitive nature leads her to seek out phones and answers, ultimately putting her in danger. The transformation from a playful character to a victim showcases her resilience and tragic fate.

🧳 Adventurous 😢 Tragic

Woody (Keith McDermott)

Woody is depicted as a supportive boyfriend who takes the initiative to fix their vehicle breakdown. His resourcefulness quickly turns to terror as he encounters the supernatural elements of the gas station. His demise serves as a catalyst for the unfolding chaos and panic among the group.

🛠️ Resourceful 🚪 Trapped

Mr. Slausen (Chuck Connors)

Mr. Slausen is the enigmatic and sinister proprietor of the Lost Oasis, whose facade of hospitality masks a deep-seated bitterness. His character embodies the struggles of lost dreams and vengeance, showcasing a disturbing duality between charm and malevolence as he manipulates the group.

🔫 Menacing 🎭 Deceptive

Becky (Tanya Roberts)

Becky presents a mix of boldness and vulnerability, representing the group’s sense of camaraderie. Her search for Eileen underscores her determination, but ultimately, she becomes another tragic victim. Her character arc enhances the emotional stakes as the horror escalates.

👙 Bold 😔 Vulnerable

Jerry (Jon Van Ness)

Jerry is portrayed as a problem-solver who attempts to fix the group’s vehicle while maintaining calm amid chaos. His interactions highlight his loyalty, but he too must confront the villain's cunning traps. His struggle represents the embodiment of male survival instincts in desperate times.

🔧 Loyal 🆘 Resourceful

Molly (Jocelyn Jones)

Molly is characterized by her strength and quick thinking, trying to outmaneuver danger as chaos strikes. Her central role in uncovering the truth about Slausen adds tension to her character, ultimately showcasing her survival instincts against overwhelming odds.

🏃‍♀️ Resourceful 🚨 Intrepid

Tina (Dawn Jeffory)

Tina represents the innocence and vulnerability of the group, meeting a tragic end at the hands of the masked killer. Her character highlights the real stakes of their adventure and contributes to the film's overall tension.

😇 Innocent 💔 Vulnerable

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:13

Major Themes – Tourist Trap (1979)
Explore the central themes of Tourist Trap (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

😱 Fear

Fear manifests throughout the film, primarily through the unsettling atmosphere of Slausen's Lost Oasis. The characters' psychological torment escalates as they face overwhelming dangers, especially from the masked killer. This theme examines the fragility of safety and the inherent terror in trusting strangers.

🧟‍♂️ Survival

Survival is a central theme as the characters navigate life-threatening situations in an unpredictable environment. Each character must confront their instincts and fears to escape the clutches of the killer and the eerie mannequins. The drive to survive compels them to make desperate choices in their fight against an unseen threat.

👻 Isolation

The theme of isolation pervades the narrative, as the characters find themselves cut off from the outside world in the ghost town. The physical and emotional distances between them emphasize their vulnerability, heightening the sense of dread as they confront unknown horrors. This isolation contributes to their sense of helplessness against Slausen and his dark creations.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:13

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