Tremors

Name: Tremors
Released: 1990-01-19

Ron Underwood

(1990)

Val McKee and Earl Bassett are in a fight for their lives when they discover that their desolate town has been infested with gigantic, man-eating creatures that live below the ground.

Tremors (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Cast

Valentine McKee: Kevin Bacon

Rhonda LeBeck: Finn Carter

Graboids (uncredited): Frank Welker

Megan - The Doctor's Wife: Bibi Besch

Jim - The Doctor: Conrad Bachmann

Crew

DirectorRon Underwood

ScreenplayS.S. Wilson

ScreenplayBrent Maddock

ProducerBrent Maddock

Executive ProducerGale Anne Hurd

ProducerS.S. Wilson

Director of PhotographyAlexander Gruszynski

EditorO. Nicholas Brown

Original Music ComposerErnest Troost

StuntsGlory Fioramonti

Synopsis

Tremors follows handymen Val and Earl in the small desert town of Perfection, Nevada, where they discover that something deadly lurks beneath the ground. As mysterious underground creatures begin attacking residents, the two must team up with seismology student Rhonda LeBeck to understand and survive the threat. The story blends humor with tension as the group faces increasingly dangerous and intelligent creatures that hunt by sensing vibrations. The film builds toward a series of inventive and suspenseful set pieces, culminating in a fight for survival against a creature perfectly adapted to its environment.

Fun Facts

The creatures in Tremors, later known as Graboid, were originally designed with a very low budget using practical effects and puppetry. Kevin Bacon has often said this role is one of his favorites because of the film’s unique mix of horror and comedy. The film was shot in the desert regions of California and Nevada, with the small town of Perfection being largely constructed as a set. Despite modest expectations, the film became a cult classic and spawned a long-running franchise with multiple sequels and a TV series.

Production Context

Directed by Ron Underwood, Tremors was produced on a modest budget and relied heavily on practical effects and clever cinematography to bring the underground creatures to life. The filmmakers focused on suspense and creature design rather than expensive visual effects. The script went through multiple revisions to balance horror, action, and comedy, resulting in a unique tone that helped the film stand out. Creative sound design and careful editing were used to suggest the presence of the creatures without always showing them directly.

Reception

Upon release, Tremors received generally positive reviews from critics who praised its blend of humor, suspense, and originality. While it was not a major box office hit initially, it found strong success in home video and cable broadcasts, eventually gaining a dedicated fan base. Over time, it has become recognized as a cult classic and a standout creature feature of the late 1980s and early 1990s, leading to multiple sequels and a loyal following.