Perfection, Nevada. Population: low and dwindling… thanks to giant underground monsters called graboids. Who can save the town? A pair of local handymen, of course. Sounds pretty far removed from the big budget blockbusters that would come later in the decade. Yet, the 1990 film Tremors, directed by Ron Underwood and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, and Michael Gross, remains one of the most beloved creature features of all time thanks to its relatable heroes and engaging story of a town besieged.
Ordinary People Facing the Extraordinary
Bacon and Ward star as Val and Earl, respectively, local handymen that perform odd jobs for the folks of Perfection Valley. Along with a supporting cast of blue collar residents, including Michael Gross as series standout Burt Gummer and Reba McEntire as his wife Heather, the two slowly start to discover the monstrous underground worms as they tear their way through the valley.
The dialogue between Bacon and Ward sets the tone of the film early on with the constant teasing, pranking, and friendly derision only capable between two understanding individuals and so present in endearing good ol’ boy behavior.
These characters feel instantly relatable and familiar, like those people from your hometown you can’t forget. With the exception of maybe Burt Gummer, an eccentric prepper-style character who would later become the focus of the series and T.V. show, the residents of Perfection Valley are just normal, everyday people.
There’s the single mother Nancy and her young daughter Mindy, who would return in Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001). Walter Chang, who owns and operates the one stop shop Chang’s Market and who’s ancestors would appear in the prequel Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2005) and niece Jodi in part 3. Rancher Miguel, also a returning character in part 3.
Placing these ordinary folks just trying to survive in the harsh Nevada desert would make a good enough drama. Throw in some pre-Cambrian worms that live underground and we have ourselves a creature feature.
Life Above Ground
Tremors received generally positive reviews upon its release to theaters but really found its footing when it was released on home video. It eventually developed a large cult following. Then it was released for screening on television.
As a child of the Nineties, I remember going to the neighbor’s house with my parents to watch the movie, most likely a rental VHS because I don’t remember commercials. I do remember flipping through the television channels at home the next day and seeing the same movie on T.V. I watched it again.
When it finished, the sequel, Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996), ran and introduced the shriekers, the next stage in the graboid evolution. The shriekers were amazing. It was a whole new ball game, to quote Fred Ward’s character.
It seemed like Tremors, or one of the sequels were on every week after that. At least one network showed played them, as if on repeat. Tremors had found its life above ground on cable.
The franchise would continue with a third part, bringing in the final stage of graboid life, the assblasters. As a kid, these were my favorite. (I mean, come on. They’re called assblasters.) It’s a quirky name for a quirky film. Every installment of the franchise would maintain the signature style of humor that began with the first, yet retain the tense horror aspects of monsters hunting a group of isolated humans.
Endless Cycle
With Tremors receiving play nearly every week and being a hit on home video, the film and its sequels wormed their way into the hearts of horror fans. The blend of tense, terrifying moments, action sequences, practical effects, and offbeat humor, made the franchise accessible to those outside of the horror genre.
The films are a perfect balance of horror and comedy. They hit the note every single time. While you can say the later films, a total of seven as of writing with a short lived television series developed for the Sci-Fi Channel, taper off, the first installment remains endlessly satisfying and entertaining, inviting multiple rewatches.
It’s one of those movies I can watch all the way through and immediately restart it and enjoy it just as much. It’s the sci-fi horror equivalent of comfort food. Kevin Bacon reportedly did not like the film when it was released. This stemmed from a low point in his personal life at the time of filming. He has since come around to join the rest of us. The valley might have a worm problem, but for the fans of Tremors, it’s perfection.