It is officially fall, which means it is the perfect time to cozy up with a blanket, popcorn, and turn on a spooky movie.
As Halloween rolls upon us, horror fans are always on the hunt for hidden gems and classics they may have overlooked. One standout is Trilogy of Terror (1975), an anthology directed by Dan Curtis, the creator of the original Dark Shadows TV series. As Trilogy of Terror celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it’s the perfect time to revisit (or discover) this hour-long cult classic.
What is Trilogy of Terror?
Trilogy of Terror is a made-for-television anthology film consisting of three separate stories, all written by Richard Matheson. Each unsettling tale is led by the incredible Karen Black, who takes on the roles of a college teacher, a pair of twins, and a terrorized woman. For horror fans, you might recognize Karen Black for her role as Mother Firefly in another iconic horror film, House of 1000 Corpses. The final segment is perhaps the most iconic as it includes the infamous Zuni Warrior Fetish Doll, which has haunted viewers’ nightmares for decades and earned its place among horror’s most legendary killer dolls.
*Spoilers ahead*
Story 1: Julie
“Since that moment, your mind has not been your own.”
The first story centers on a college student named Chad (Robert Burton), who suddenly develops an unhealthy obsession with his English professor, Julie (Karen Black). His fixation quickly escalates into stalking, sexual fantasies, and relentless pursuit. When Julie reluctantly agrees to a date, ignoring the boundaries between professor and student, Chad takes her to a drive-in showing of Dracula. There, he spikes her drink, and after she loses consciousness, he assaults her.
For over a month following the attack, Chad blackmails Julie, threatening to expose her predatory interest in students. Julie’s roommate Anne grows worried as Julie’s late nights and strange behavior become harder to ignore.
But when Julie has had just about enough of their secret relationship, she poisons Chad’s drink, leaving him dizzy, paralyzed, and ultimately dead from cardiac arrest. In a chilling reveal, Julie explains that she had manipulated his attraction towards her from the beginning, a pattern she has repeated with countless other victims. The story ends showing Julie adding a newspaper clipping of Chad’s death to a photo album of past victims just as a new student arrives to her house for some tutoring.
Fun fact: Karen Black was briefly married to Robert Burton, the actor who played Chad. Black initially turned down the role but then reconsidered when Burton was cast for the film.
Story 2: Millicent and Therese
“It’s as if father’s death has released the demons within her, and I actually fear for my life.”
The second story introduces Millicent and Therese, twin sisters who couldn’t be more different. Millicent is a pale, prudish, ghostly woman, while Therese is seductive, manipulative, and destructive. Millicent despises her sister, convinced that Therese seduced their father and killed their mother, an apparent overdose on sleeping pills that Millicent insists was no accident.
She calls and confides in the family physician, Dr. Ramsey, claiming that she is being held captive by her sister. Looking to stop the terror that Therese has caused, Millicent plans to use a voodoo doll to kill her twin sister. Dr. Ramsey, hoping to stop any violence before it happens, rushes to the home of Millicent and Therese. There he finds the dead body of Therese. But Dr. Ramsey removes Therese’s blonde wig to reveal Millicent’s dark hair. He describes how there is no set of twins, Millicent has one of the worst cases of multiple personality disorder that he has ever seen.
Story 3: Amelia
“This is he who kills. He is a deadly hunter. Should the chain be removed, spirit in doll will become one living.”
The third and final story, widely considered the fan favorite, follows Amelia, a young woman caught between appeasing her overbearing mother and celebrating her boyfriend’s birthday. Instead, she stays home with the gift she bought him: a Zuni Warrior Fetish Doll said to contain the spirit of a deadly hunter.
What begins as an ordinary night quickly unravels into chaos when the doll comes to life. Amelia hears its frantic footsteps through the apartment before it launches a relentless attack, screaming at and stabbing her with a tiny spear. No matter how hard she fights back, the doll refuses to be stopped. Ultimately, the Zuni doll bites her neck, transferring the spirit of the hunter into her body.
This story is definitely the most fun and entertaining. It is also filmed really well, especially from the perspective of the doll running around, very similar to how certain scenes are shot in the Child’s Play series.
Is Trilogy of Terror worth the watch?
As a horror movie buff, this film was repeatedly recommended to me so I had to give it a watch. While I didn’t grow up watching the movie, I can definitely see how it would leave a lasting impression on a child, especially the thought of a killer doll attacking in the safety of one’s own home. Whether it is the storytelling, dialogue, or the grainy texture of the shot, there is something nostalgic feeling about the film.
The horror genre is full of iconic and amazing feature-length films, and many deliver their rewarding scares through slow build-up and atmosphere. But I think that short horror films and anthologies like Trilogy of Terror can often showcase horror at its most terrifying. With little time for cheesy dialogue or over-explaining, the stories get right to the unsettling atmosphere or creepy characters. And that’s exactly why this film works so well, it is almost like episodes of The Twilight Zone. And while the storylines are fairly predictable, they are truly fun watches that showcase the acting range of Karen Black.
If you’re anything like me and believe some of the greatest horror came out of the 1970s and 1980s, this film is a must-see. Even if you’re not the biggest horror fan, Trilogy of Terror is a brief, fun watch and features multiple great performances from Black. Its impact was strong enough that just over twenty years later, Dan Curtis returned to direct Trilogy of Terror II, following the same chilling format.
So as the anthology celebrates its 50th anniversary and a chill is in the air, take a moment and give Trilogy of Terror a watch.
Trilogy of Terror is available to stream for free on YouTube and Tubi.
