Trancers (1984): the Cult Classic Not Serious Noir Detective Sci-Fi Time Travel Comedy

Trancers is a low-budget science-fiction classic that launched a cult franchise.A Terminator knock-off that blended sci-fi, noir detective, comedy, and silly horror, Trancers is a cult film that continues to reel in new audiences 40+ years later.The first in a franchise, this low-budget but inventive movie flows in a strange, off-beat tone that never feels like it's trying too hard.The film sends a 23rd-century Humphrey Bogart-style hardboiled detective back to the 1980s to stop a cult leader who makes people into kinda zombie followers.And there are funky gadgets and battles with zombie Santa Claus along the way.In this episode, I'll walk you through all the little gifts Trancers gives its audiences -- the near-camp strangeness, Tim Thomerson and Helen Hunt's performances like a glue around the movie's would-be leaks, and the film's inventive time-travel ideas.Directed by Charles Band. Written by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo. Starring Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt, Michael Stefani, Art LaFleur, Telma Hopkins, Richard Herd, and Anne Seymour.Connect with us on Bluesky:@not-ni-theaters.bsky.socialAnd to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com