Terror at Tenkiller (1986) is a film I recently watched on Tubi. The storyline follows two friends who decide to spend the summer in a small lakeside town for work. One of the women is trying to escape her abusive boyfriend, and this trip seems like the perfect way to get away. Shortly after they arrive, they hear a tale about an ancient spirit haunting the lake. When people start dying, they begin to wonder if the legend might be true.
Directed by Ken Meyer in his lone directorial effort, the film stars Michael Shamus Wiles (Fight Club), Stacey Logan (Missing Pieces), Michele Merchant (Cole Justice), and Kevin Meyer (Perfect Alibi).
The characters, atmosphere, background music, and storyline carry a classic 80s slasher vibe. The movie kicks off with a great opening throat-slash scene, and the main character stands out as eye candy. There's also the inclusion of classic 80s horror tropes, like nudity, with several topless scenes-though the shower sequences featuring characters in underwear feel oddly out of place and amusing.
Unfortunately, the film is let down by inconsistent dialogue and uneven acting. While the practical effects start strong, they quickly become underwhelming after the opening scene. The horror elements, in particular, fail to deliver. A well-set-up hot tub scene, for instance, completely misses the mark in execution, setting the stage for a series of disappointing kills. Even the narration doesn't meet expectations, falling short of creating the tension needed for a film like this.
In conclusion, Terror at Tenkiller has a few redeeming elements, but they aren't enough to save the film. I would score it a 4/10 and only recommend it with the appropriate expectations.
