Published: 17th December 2025

Watch the official trailer.

Jack Deth Faces the Deadly Trancers of 2247

In the year 2247, Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is a skilled trooper based in Angel City. His current mission is to eliminate all Trancers from his planet. Trancers are humans who have been transformed into violent, zombie-like beings through mind control. Once turned, they are incredibly aggressive and driven to murder on command.  Trancers are also fiercely loyal to one man- Jack’s long-term nemesis, Whistler (Michael Stefani). Jack’s most significant challenge lies in locating the Trancers and separating them from the rest of the human population.

Jack Deth Battles Time-Traveling Threats to Save Humanity

But hunting down the Trancers is only the beginning of Jack’s problems. Matters worsen when he learns that Whistler has discovered a way to travel back in time to 1985 Los Angeles. Whistler plans to brutally murder the ancestors of the future governing council, ensuring his rise to ultimate power.  To prevent this, Jack is sent back in time as well to inhabit the body of one of his ancestors. Now on the run, he must track down Whistler and prevent the planned murders, all for the sake of humanity’s future. The question remains: will he succeed, or will history be altered forever?  Thankfully, Jack does not have to fight this battle alone. After taking on a Trancer dressed like Santa at a local shopping mall, he gains an ally in Leena (Helen Hunt).

Charles Band and the Legacy of Full Moon Features

Trancers was directed by Charles Band, whose past work includes The Gingerdead Man, Evil Bong, Head of the Family, and many more. It should also be noted that, in addition to being a well-known actor, screenwriter, producer, and director, Charles Band is the proud owner of Full Moon Pictures, commonly known as Full Moon Features. He founded the company in the 1980s, and it remains a prominent distributor of low-budget horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films, including Puppet Master and Dollman.

Tim Thomerson Shines as the Charismatic Jack Deth

Tim Thomerson is a major highlight here, bringing attitude, confidence, and an easy charm to the role of Jack Deth, making him instantly likable from the very start. His performance carries the film with a blend of toughness and sharp humour that makes the character immediately memorable, much like his work in other Full Moon titles such as Dollman and Dollman vs. Demonic Toys.

Practical Effects and Real-World Charm Elevate the Adventure

Another element of enjoyment comes from the film’s use of practical effects, model work, and real-world locations, all of which add enormously to its charm and sense of scale. It is hard not to feel grateful for films like this that deliver something genuinely creative while remaining consistently fun and adventurous, with the sense that the clock is ticking.  These elements also help ground the film’s futuristic ideas and give it a personality that continues to hold up today.

Trancers Delivers a Futuristic and Engaging Adventure

Overall, Trancers is nothing short of a futuristic blast. Fuelled by imaginative ideas, inventive sci-fi concepts, and clever gadgets, the film delivers a story that is both engaging and highly entertaining. It does not feel like a typical Full Moon production with noticeably less wackiness and corniness than some of the company’s other titles, such as The Gingerdead Man. Instead, Trancers aims higher with its storytelling, offering a plot that leaves you genuinely wanting more adventures with Jack Deth.

Trancers (1984) will be Available on Blu-ray from March 4th, 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.

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