The Tommyknockers (1993)

8% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(25,718 ratings)

Adapted for TV, this is a Stephen King story in which an aspiring writer and an alcoholic poet (with a metal plate in his head, no less) literally stumble over a long-buried spaceship while walking in the woods. It starts glowing green when uncovered and soon everyone in town has green eyes, their… More Adapted for TV, this is a Stephen King story in which an aspiring writer and an alcoholic poet (with a metal plate in his head, no less) literally stumble over a long-buried spaceship while walking in the woods. It starts glowing green when uncovered and soon everyone in town has green eyes, their teeth fall out and they act out all of their fantasies (violent or otherwise). Guess who's immune to the power of this alien spaceship? You got it--our good old metal-headed poet can save the day if he can get it together enough to do so. Really more of a B movie than most King horrorfests. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: John Power
Genres: Television, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: May 9, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Jul 18, 2000
Studio: Trimark

Critic Reviews

Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
I have no idea what i was watching
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Bland and meandering King adaptation.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...a good, inventive 90-minute horror story padded out to 180 minutes.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Based on one of Stephen King's sci-fi horror stories, this movie is very strange, but it stays within the sci-fi conventions well. I liked it, it was very interesting. If you like King, check it out.
Conner R

I honestly don't know how many made for TV movies will have to be made before Stephen King realizes that it's a terrible way to translate his stories. I thought that the book was really interesting and a sort of ode to 50s sci-fi, War of the Worlds in particular. This is… More
I honestly don't know how many made for TV movies will have to be made before Stephen King realizes that it's a terrible way to translate his stories. I thought that the book was really interesting and a sort of ode to 50s sci-fi, War of the Worlds in particular. This is just a complete letdown, filled with a sub-par cast and terrible writing.
Cassandra M

Aside from the odd exception, Stephen King has rarely transfered well to the big or small screen, and along comes this little mini-series which is a by-numbers example of what actually gets lost in translation. Firstly: when these novels are adapted for the screen, fundamental… More
Aside from the odd exception, Stephen King has rarely transfered well to the big or small screen, and along comes this little mini-series which is a by-numbers example of what actually gets lost in translation. Firstly: when these novels are adapted for the screen, fundamental elements of the plot are excised or replaced, and this is true of even the better King-flicks ("The Shining" and "Carrie" are just as guilty as pulp trash like "Needful Things" and "Cujo"). "The Tommyknockers" begins as if it's going to buck the trend, establishing the majority of the usual King misfits early on, and actually adds a little suspense by not showing its hand too early - for example, this adaptation does not make clear what's buried out back in Bobbie's farm straight away. But as the town begins to be affected by said item, it's off into it's own world, and toss the novel out the window. Granted, some of the more imaginative gimmicks the township dreams up cannot be translated to screen with the appropriate panache, especially with the meagre budget allocated to this project - but does everything need to look so cheap? Much of the dialogue at best doesn't ring true, at worse stinks. Witness the actually quite good Marg Helgenberger delivering some awful lines ("Gard, let's experience it together!") but in an offhand way that suggests that she's really aware that she's not in a Mamet play, but, Hell, let's make the best of it anyway. Any good points? Well, Joanna Cassidy is always worth watching, but an actress of her class still can't make a thrown together middle-age romance look realistic. Helgenberger and Allyce Beasley come out of it with the least mud sticking. Worst crimes? Jimmy Smits completely miscast, terrible dialogue, cheap effects, complete massacre of the source material, Traci Lords all at sea outside of a John Waters movie or skinflick ... the list goes on.
Luke B

Another 3 hours of Stephen King. This time I was tired of the same old story. The slow build up good, the climax not so good. By the time the "mystery" is uncovered it's TV budget betrays the rest of the film. Cheap sets and a laughable explanation. King should really… More
Another 3 hours of Stephen King. This time I was tired of the same old story. The slow build up good, the climax not so good. By the time the "mystery" is uncovered it's TV budget betrays the rest of the film. Cheap sets and a laughable explanation. King should really stick to Vampires and Demonic Clowns as this is just an Invasion of the Body Snatchers inspired trek. Ashton is his trustworthy self and there's plenty to get wrapped up in. Unfortunately the green light effects were laughable even in 1993. It ticks all the same boxes as Salem's Lot and It so watch them instead.
Dean M

Shocking about a town taken over by long-dormant aliens when the green lights appear. Traci Lords is hotter as a sexy bitch post woman. It's a part like 1988's TV series, <i>War of the World</i>.
Dean !

Saw this as a 2 part TV movie based on Stephen King's book. Great story and a good cast, not bad effects for a low budget film as well.
xGary X

Utterly dim Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers rip-off based on a particularly lame Stephen King novel, complete with TV movie production value.
Jim W

I saw it when I was a lot younger, I wasn't impressed at all. Was pretty bored actually.