Episode 25: Ovidio G. Assonitis’s Tentacles (1977)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 0%
Could "Tentacles" possibly rival the dread of "Jaws"? We're dissecting the calamitous creature feature "Tentacles," a film that's more likely to induce laughter than screams. Prepare to chortle as we recount the bewildering plot twists and turns of this 1977 undersea misadventure, which somehow managed to ensnare renowned actors like Henry Fonda into its murky depths. We're pulling no punches on the poor acting and writing that makes this film a veritable shipwreck of cinematic history.
As aficionados of horror, we've seen our share of chilling dialogues, but "Tentacles" serves up lines so bizarre they're practically comedic gold. We'll take you through a gauntlet of puzzling character dynamics and one-liners that have aged like fine vinegar. From dubious environmental messages to the unintentionally hilarious 'bad kissing Bertha' scene, we illustrate just how far this octopus opus strayed from its inspiration, devolving into an oceanic oddity that's hard to watch with a straight face.
Wrapping up with a flourish, we delve into the film's oddities such as the inconsistent size of the octopus and jump scares that are more likely to make you jump out of your seat in laughter than fear. "Tentacles" may have briefly surfaced with modest financial success, but we're here to argue why it's comfortably sunk into the abyss of movie obscurity. Tune in for our playful take on this aquatic folly, and discover if it stands the test of time, or if it's best left in the briny deep of forgotten films.
Plot Summary:
A mutated giant octopus wreaks havoc on a California seaside community. (Taken from IMDb)
Watchability Scale
Mike gave the film a 1. Chad gave it a 2. We placed it at 1.5 on the Watchability Scale.
Links
The Terror-ibleness of Tentacles (1977) (Scriptophobic)
TENTACLES contains none of what it promises (MovieJawn)
Revisiting ‘Tentacles’ (1977): This One Has Tasted Blood (Horror Geek Life)