The Final Terror (1983)

The Final Terror is a frustrating movie. Never quite sure if it wants to be a backwoods slasher or a more serious thriller, it ultimately fails on both points. However, there is something about it that saves it from being a complete failure. There is potential here that makes for interesting, if not entirely satisfactory, viewing.

First, Final Terror has a pretty strong cast. Featuring Joe Pantoliano, a longtime favorite around these parts, a young Daryl Hannah, and the perpetually underrated Rachel Ward (Night School), you would think that the characters and acting would be one of the movie's strongpoints. However, other than Pantoliano, the whole cast is underutilized. There are a lot of characters, but they aren't very well differentiated from each other. And since the kill count is low, a lot of them survive all the way to the end. No one is really given a chance to shine. I honestly had a lot of trouble keeping many of the characters straight in my mind, which unfortunately means that I also cared very little about them or their fates.


However, the setting is a standout aspect of the film. These woods are truly wild and mysterious, while also being breathtakingly beautiful. There is also truly otherworldly aspect to this setting, making it a prime location for terror brought by the mysterious killer.

That killer is probably the best thing about Final Terror. She is a truly frightening creation, a crazed woman living off the land in the woods, attacking anyone who gets too close. She is terrifying once we finally see her, almost more creature than human. Despite her smaller stature, she puts fellow woods dwelling maniacs like Jason and Cropsey to shame.

As far as the actual kills go, though, Final Terror disappoints. The body count is low in this film; most of our cast survives. Considering that most of our characters are given little development and are otherwise treated as disposable, this is not a good thing. Like I mentioned before, I ultimately had trouble telling everyone apart.

Also, other than the killer's appearance and a particularly tense siege on a bus, Final Terror is not particularly frightening or suspenseful. Again, part of this has to do with a lack of character development - we're never really invested in anyone's survival.

If it sounds like I don't like the film, I'm sorry. I enjoyed it, and I truly love our legitimately frightening boogeyman. It's just frustrating watching a movie like this that gets so much wrong, even while doing some things so right. I ultimately find myself wondering what could have been. There's a better movie hiding in what unfortunately is a bit of a mess.