Trilogy of Terror (1975)

90% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(4,855 ratings)

In this made-for-TV horror showcase, Karen Black plays four separate roles in three successive tales written or based on the works of venerable genre writer Richard Matheson. In "Julie," Black portrays a prim college literature instructor who engages in a debauched affair with one of her students… More In this made-for-TV horror showcase, Karen Black plays four separate roles in three successive tales written or based on the works of venerable genre writer Richard Matheson. In "Julie," Black portrays a prim college literature instructor who engages in a debauched affair with one of her students after he drugs, date-rapes, and blackmails her into submission; here and in the other stories, however, things aren't what they seem. "Millicent and Therese" features the actress in two roles as good sister/bad sister twins who use witchcraft to settle their sexual and moral differences. In the final and most famous segment, "Amelia," Black plays a spinster with an insufferable mother who sublets a high-rise apartment in the city in order to find romantic freedom. When she purchases a Zuni fetish warrior doll as a present for her anthropology-professor beau, it comes to life and chases her around the flat with considerable tenacity. A failed pilot for a horror anthology series, Trilogy of Terror first appeared on ABC in 1975 and subsequently gained a devoted cult following. Black originally didn't want to participate, but agreed after her husband, Robert Burton, was cast in the role of the date-raping blackmailer. Although the actress has appeared in numerous subsequent horror films, it was her indelible quadruple roles here that inspired cult New York rockers the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black. The film also allegedly inspired the 1984 horror-blaxploitation flick Black Devil Doll From Hell. A belated sequel, Trilogy of Terror 2, also from former Dark Shadows director Dan Curtis, followed in 1996. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Dan Curtis
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Mar 4, 1975 Wide
On DVD: Aug 24, 1999
Studio: MPI Home Video

Critic Reviews

Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
One of the most underwhelming anthology horror films I've ever seen...
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
By the time the Zuni fetish doll bursts onto the screen and worms its way into your nightmares (or your heart), you'll be fully convinced that you've seen at least one-third of a genre classic.
Dan Jardine, Cinemania
Black is a blast, but only the third tale, Amelia, is worth our time.
Staci Layne Wilson, About.com
Demonic doll doling out death? Delightful!
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
Karen Black versus an obviously fake wooden doll is surprisingly credible, scary, and balls to the wall exciting.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
It's the Karen Black Show!
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Love that Karen Black and her little witch doctor! Ouch!
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
The third segment in this trilogy is arguably the scariest piece ever crafted under the made-for-TV label
John Esther, Pasadena Weekly
Scared many a mom

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I was really surprised and impressed by Karen Black in this movie, she plays all the main characters in the movie perfectly, it's very cool. The first two stories are a bit predictable, but fun. The last one is unpredictable and exciting. I really enjoyed this movie, it's… More
I was really surprised and impressed by Karen Black in this movie, she plays all the main characters in the movie perfectly, it's very cool. The first two stories are a bit predictable, but fun. The last one is unpredictable and exciting. I really enjoyed this movie, it's a great anthology horror film, and I recommend it.
jay n

The first two stories are fine but the justly famous final one is enough to make you jumpy for days after.
Matthew Y

Three Twilight Zone-esc anthology stories are told, all gloriously starring the fabulously underrated Karen Black and all containing a twist ending. The final sequence is the most famous (and entertaining) about a possessed doll that runs amok in Blacks apartment and tries to kill… More
Three Twilight Zone-esc anthology stories are told, all gloriously starring the fabulously underrated Karen Black and all containing a twist ending. The final sequence is the most famous (and entertaining) about a possessed doll that runs amok in Blacks apartment and tries to kill her. Without this sequence I'm not sure how Trilogy of Terror would have survived in public awareness over the past 35 years but with it its a satisfying collection for Horror/Sci-Fi fans and anyone who enjoys anthology storytelling.
John M

"Trilogy of Terror" is three short stories, excellent stared by the same actress, ¨Karen Black¨ and the movie itself is definitely well done and the segments are good enough, although somewhat lacking in suspense but really worth watching.
Donna D

Out of the three movies, the last was the best one with the Voodoo doll! That little thing was the creepiest monster I've ever seen when I was a kid, and even watching this movie in mid day time still scared me. It was pretty awesome and to this day, it still creeps me out. ;)