The 80s Horror Fantasy Cult Classic With A Seinfeld Star
Though horror films dominated the box office in the 1980s with the teens of the day, there were some standout fantasy films that generated both financial success and critical acclaim. The decade was the era of Labyrinth, The NeverEnding Story, and Legend, each one stellar examples of genre films that not only dazzled the audiences of their day but have also stood the test of time. One fantasy film that might have slipped off fans’ radar is a classic in its own right, the underrated 1986 classic Troll, which features the acting talent of a young Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld) in a supporting role.
Something’s Off About This New Apartment
Troll opens with the Potter family moving into their new apartment in San Francisco. Young Wendy Potter (Jenny Beck) is alone and unpacking in her room when an ugly troll attacks her with the needle that protrudes from his large ring. She is hidden from sight as the little monster successfully morphs into the girl’s doppelganger.
Only Harry Jr. (Noah Hathaway) is concerned with Wendy’s new set of odd behaviors. One of the family’s new neighbors, Eunice St. Clair (June Lockhart), invites the teenager over for tea one afternoon and reveals to him what has really happened to his younger sister.
Torok The Troll
Eunice tells Harry that she is a witch that was once in love with a powerful wizard named Torok. During this time, the world of humans and the world of fairies were divided, but friendly toward one another. But Torok sought too much power and started a war between the fairies and the humans, which led to a human victory and Torok’s punishment of transformation into a troll.
The other neighbors in Harry’s new apartment building have been attacked by Torok one by one, being tricked by the troll who is still masquerading as a girl. Each of these apartments are transformed into parts of the fairy world that the troll Torok is trying to use to resurrect the magical realm.
A Whimsical Hero’s Journey
Troll sees Eunice give Harry a magic spear to fight his way through these fairy realms in hopes of defeating the evil Torok once and for all and rescue Wendy from being forced to be the troll’s princess.
The movie does well in holding audience interest from start to finish, but does so in ways that are not integral to the main plot line. Troll’s hero’s journey trope is well written and executed, but is helped along by the quirky characters that reside in the Potter family’s new apartment building. Among them are some faces that audiences will certainly find familiar.
Supporting Cast Elevates The Premise
One such performer is Seinfeld co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who plays neighbor Jeanette Cooper. Gary Sandy of WKRP in Cincinnati fame, musician and politician Sonny Bono, and Phil Fondacaro (Bordello of Blood) help to round out the cast of the Potter’s weird new building.
Streaming Troll On Tubi
GFR SCORE
The special effects for Troll are quite dated, but looked great in the pre-CGI days. It’s a fun film to watch, packing in a bit of action and light comedy along with its heavy fantasy elements.
You can catch Troll streaming for free with Tubi.
