Review – Trilogy of Terror

Richard Matheson supplies the short story sources and William F. Nolan writes the screenplays (except for the third, which Matheson scripted) for this trio of made-for-TV horror segments. Karen Black stars in all three sequences, playing an odd variety of protagonists. But of course the real star of the show is the now-famous Zuni Warrior Fetish Doll, the often-imitated-yet-never-equaled monster from the final third. Perhaps if it had been a little less cute or made a slightly less ridiculous noise, it might have stood a chance to not end up as high camp. But hey, at least it was welcome relief after the thoroughly-predictable course of the second sequence. And the very end supplies at least a bit of a genuine chill. Mildly amusing