Review Published 22nd March 2026

Watch the official trailer.

Stranded friends accept help from a mysterious local.

A group of good friends travelling by car unexpectedly get a flat tyre in a remote area. When the females decide to take a dip in the nearby river, they encounter a local, an older man named Mr Slausen (Chuck Connors). When Mr Slausen learns of their predicament, he offers to help by welcoming the group back to his home and providing tools to fix the tyre so that they can get back on the road. They gratefully accept.

Trapped in a house of lifelike mannequins, friends face a masked force and growing terror.

When the group arrives at Mr Slausen’s home, they discover that he is a collector of mannequins, each disturbingly lifelike and highly unsettling. While Mr Slausen and one of their group leave to conduct repairs, three friends are left behind to wait for the car to be fixed. However, as they wait, disturbing, inexplicable events begin to unfold. Alongside the creepy mannequins, there is also a mysterious figure in the house, wearing a mask and apparently capable of telekinetic energy, which allows them to control the mannequins. Will this close-knit group of friends manage to escape and uncover the full truth behind the horrors lurking in this house of nightmares?

A creepy, mysterious slasher from cult horror roots.

Tourist Trap is a creepy slasher/horror film with a touch of mystery. The film was co-written and directed by David Schmoeller, who later wrote and directed other horror films, including Puppet Master (1989), The Seduction (1982), Netherworld (1992), Crawlspace (1986), and many more. Another fun fact is that the production company behind this film is none other than Full Moon Pictures. This company remains a prominent distributor of low-budget horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films, including Puppet Master and my personal favourite, Dollman.

Creative horror with eerie mannequins and a standout Chuck Connors performance.

Positively, this film features plenty of incredible, creative ideas, particularly in the horror space. Let’s face it, mannequins are already creepy to begin with. Bringing them to life makes them even more disturbing, as does the mysterious killer who also appears as a real mannequin, apparently come to life. The element surrounding the villain’s ability to control objects using some form of telekinetic energy is also terrific. Sure, given the age of the film, you can often see how the effects were achieved, such as the use of fishing line, etc. As a lover of all things Full Moon Productions, it is also wonderful to see this film truly lean into a darker, more serious tone, unlike many of their other titles, which often push cheesy, goofy gags. Chuck Connors as Mr Slausen is a major standout and adds even more mystery as the film progresses. It is also evident that the actor is having a great time on set.

Flawed but effective, with weak acting, predictable twists, and a slow, uneven pace.

However, Tourist Trap is far from perfect, even if its horror elements are enjoyable and on point. The acting is certainly average, and the film’s opening truly lacks character development. Although the film gets underway quickly and introduces elements of mystery and mayhem, the twists and major reveals are deeply predictable and lack any real sense of surprise or suspense. Above all, I found that the film dragged at various points, with scenes that often felt slow or served little purpose. While the finale certainly improves things, it is a bit of a slog to get there.

Strong ideas and creepiness, but dragged down by pacing and predictability.

Overall, upon realising this was a Full Moon production, my excitement spiked, especially knowing that this film leans into a darker, more serious tone than what the company is typically known for today. There are some genuinely clever ideas at play, particularly in the use of practical effects and the unsettling concept of mannequins brought to life, which deliver some genuinely creepy moments. That said, it didn’t quite land for me. The pacing often drags, and while the twist isn’t immediately obvious, the overall direction and key outcomes feel telegraphed far too early. The performances are hit-or-miss, though this is somewhat easier to forgive in the context of low-budget horror, where a certain level of camp can add to the charm. In the end, I really wanted to enjoy this more than I did, but it never fully came together satisfyingly.

Tourist Trap (2025) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

Connect

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkdenentertainment/
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Peter_Walkden/
Website: https://walkdenentertainment.com/

More links and updates: https://linktr.ee/PeterWalkden