Trilogy of Terror

1975

1h 18m

Horror

List

92%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

56%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

The same woman (Karen Black) appears in three tales as a blackmailed teacher, a tormented lover and opposite sisters.

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Jeremiah Kipp

Slant Magazine

It's the Karen Black Show!

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 20, 2006

Full Review

Dann Gire

Chicago Daily Herald

The long, eerie ending shot haunted viewers for days. Sometimes longer.

Nov 2, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Barely anyone who saw this can recall what happens in the first two vignettes, but mention the Zuni fetish doll and watch the sweat break out.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 26, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Without Karen Black's exceptional performances, this trilogy of terror wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 31, 2020

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

for fans of Black, Matheson, or Curtis, there's no topping the weirdness of Terror, which ends in a fantastically strange crescendo.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 24, 2018

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

One of the most underwhelming anthology horror films I've ever seen...

Oct 17, 2010

Full Review

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Kerry M

I can't get back 70min of my life.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

Full Review

Damian L

It was scary.especially the last segment!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Jane B

I had to work this evening and I couldn't wait to get home in time to watch the Zuni doll which I remember vividly from when I was 11. The other two I wasn't bothered to miss. But that doll- awesome!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I was planning to give "Trilogy of Terror" a three star rating because I think it is very well made and entertaining. However I decided to add an additional half star because of the late Karen Black. Her performances in the three stories which make up this popular 1975 made for television movie are excellent. Notice how the titles of all three stories are comprised of women's names. The first story "Julie" is very well written. Personally I had a feeling that the story would end with Black's character, Julie Eldridge, turning the tables on her blackmailer, played by Black's then husband Robert Burton, but the final twist at the end was something I did not see which I thought was very clever. The second story, titled "Millicent and Therese", was the weakest of the three stories. Karen Black and the rest of the cast for the story do well considering the script they have been given, but the story was very predictable. I knew right from the start what the surprise twist would be at the end of the episode. That brings us to the third and final, and most famous segment of the movie "Amelia". The old saying "Save the best for last." certainly applies here. Karen Black was certainly at her best in this story (She should have been at least nominated for an Emmy.). It was very well made a even a little frightening. It is very easy to see why the Zuni Fetish Doll has become such a popular horror icon. My only criticism is the somewhat predictable nature of the story. As soon as Amelia said to her mother over the phone that the gold chain around the wait of the doll is meant to keep the spirit inside it contained, it could not have been more obvious that the chain would somehow or another be removed. Also, it was painfully obvious that despite Amelia's best efforts, she would not be able to destroy the evil spirit within the doll. Despite this flaw, the final scene of the now possessed Amelia is nothing short of excellent. The scene was actually Karen Black's idea! In the end "Trilogy of Terror" is a fun and entertaining movie. It may not be perfect, but it sure is a good time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie scarred a generation when it was first televised and I still love it. Watch it every year. Date rape, black male sex, messed up sisters, incest, and a rabbit Zuni fetish doll? Yes please.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A little slow in the first two stories, but still effective, the third story really brings the whole thing together.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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Dan Curtis

Director

Karen Black

Julie

Robert Burton

Chad Foster

John Karlen

Thomas Amman

George Gaynes

Dr. Chester Ramsey

Jim Storm

Eddie Nells

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Synopsis

The same woman (Karen Black) appears in three tales as a blackmailed teacher, a tormented lover and opposite sisters.

Director: Dan Curtis
Screenwriter: William F. Nolan
Production Co: ABC Circle Films, Dan Curtis Productions
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 24, 2017
Runtime: 1h 18m