Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) is an anthology science fiction and horror film inspired by Rod Serling’s legendary TV series The Twilight Zone. The movie features four distinct segments directed by celebrated filmmakers—John Landis, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, and George Miller. Each segment reimagines classic Twilight Zone episodes, blending supernatural mystery, morality tales, and psychological horror.
Detailed Summary
Prologue: A Midnight Drive into the Twilight Zone
The film opens with a lighthearted but eerie prologue directed by John Landis. Two men (played by Dan Aykroyd and Albert Brooks) are driving down a dark highway, singing along to old songs. They discuss favorite Twilight Zone episodes—an in-joke for fans. The tension builds until Aykroyd’s character suddenly says, “Do you want to see something really scary?” He then transforms into a monster and attacks Brooks. It’s both a shocking jump scare and a darkly humorous nod to the show’s tradition of surprise endings.
Segment 1: “Time Out” (Directed by John Landis)
This original story (not based on a TV episode) follows Bill Connor (Vic Morrow), a bitter, racist man who blames minorities for his failures. After a drunken rant in a bar, he finds himself transported into different time periods—each forcing him to experience discrimination firsthand.
- In Nazi-occupied France, he’s mistaken for a Jewish man.
- In 1950s Alabama, he’s a Black man hunted by the KKK.
- In Vietnam, he’s attacked by U.S. soldiers.
The segment ends with Bill being captured by Nazis, screaming for mercy as he’s loaded onto a train to a concentration camp. He finally understands the suffering he’s inflicted on others.
Tragic Note: During production, a helicopter accident killed Vic Morrow and two child actors, resulting in major safety reforms in Hollywood. The segment was heavily edited after the incident.
Segment 2: “Kick the Can” (Directed by Steven Spielberg)
This remake of a classic Twilight Zone episode is the film’s most sentimental entry. It takes place in a retirement home where elderly residents live out their days in boredom. A mysterious newcomer, Mr. Bloom (Scatman Crothers), introduces them to a magical game of “Kick the Can.” When they play, the elderly residents temporarily transform back into their younger selves.
While most choose to stay young, one resident decides to return to his elderly body, realizing that growing old also has meaning and wisdom. Spielberg’s direction emphasizes warmth, nostalgia, and the magic of imagination over fear—offering a gentler take than the other segments.
Segment 3: “It’s a Good Life” (Directed by Joe Dante)
Based on the Twilight Zone episode of the same name, this segment tells the story of a boy named Anthony (Jeremy Licht) who can control reality with his thoughts. Helen (Kathleen Quinlan), a schoolteacher, accidentally meets Anthony and visits his family—who turn out to be hostages terrified of his powers. Anthony has erased their mouths, twisted their bodies into cartoons, and trapped them in a nightmarish house full of living animations.
Helen, instead of running, chooses compassion. She offers to teach Anthony how to use his powers responsibly. Together, they leave the twisted house to start anew, hinting at possible redemption for the boy. Joe Dante’s use of practical effects and cartoonish imagery gives the segment a surreal, comic-book-like horror tone.
Segment 4: “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” (Directed by George Miller)
Perhaps the most famous of the four, this remake stars John Lithgow as a nervous passenger on a commercial flight. Suffering from anxiety, he believes he sees a gremlin damaging the plane’s wing. His frantic attempts to warn the crew make him appear insane.
The tension escalates as the creature continues to tear at the engine while no one else believes him. Finally, Lithgow grabs a gun from an air marshal and shoots at the gremlin through the window, depressurizing the cabin. When the plane lands, the authorities restrain him as a madman—only to reveal the wing truly is damaged, proving he was right all along.
Epilogue: Back into the Twilight Zone
The movie ends with the ambulance carrying Lithgow’s character away. The driver turns out to be Dan Aykroyd’s “monster” from the prologue, who turns to Lithgow and says, “Do you want to see something really scary?” before lunging at him. It perfectly loops the film back to its eerie beginning.
Movie Ending
The ending ties the anthology together in a darkly humorous yet unsettling way. John Lithgow’s paranoid passenger, now proven right, is taken away as insane—illustrating a key Twilight Zone theme: truth is often stranger than belief. The reappearance of Aykroyd’s monster implies that perhaps everyone is now trapped inside the Twilight Zone itself. The cyclical ending suggests the show’s timeless warning—reality and imagination may not be as separate as we think.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Twilight Zone: The Movie does not include any post-credits scenes. However, the film’s ending is self-referential enough to act as a pseudo–post-credits twist, echoing the structure of the original TV series.
Type of Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie is a science fiction anthology horror film that combines morality tales, dark humor, and supernatural themes. It blends nostalgia with 1980s filmmaking energy and visual experimentation.
Cast
- Dan Aykroyd as the Passenger/Monster
- Albert Brooks as the Driver
- Vic Morrow as Bill Connor
- Scatman Crothers as Mr. Bloom
- Kathleen Quinlan as Helen Foley
- Jeremy Licht as Anthony
- John Lithgow as John Valentine
- Clive Revill, Nancy Cartwright, and Kevin McCarthy in supporting roles
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, a frequent Twilight Zone contributor and one of Hollywood’s great film composers. His music balances eerie orchestral tones with moments of whimsy, enhancing each segment’s atmosphere.
Filming Locations
Most of the film was shot around Los Angeles, California, with indoor sets used for the anthology’s contained stories. Notably, the helicopter accident in “Time Out” occurred during an outdoor night shoot in Indian Dunes, California, a location often used for war and action scenes due to its flexible terrain.
Awards and Nominations
The film received no major awards, but its special effects and anthology structure have since gained cult appreciation. It remains notable for its behind-the-scenes impact on film safety regulations rather than critical acclaim.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The fatal helicopter accident led to extensive investigations and permanently altered film safety laws.
- Steven Spielberg distanced himself from John Landis after the tragedy, ending their friendship.
- Joe Dante’s segment used stop-motion animation and practical effects to replicate a living cartoon world.
- John Lithgow replaced William Shatner (who played the same role in the original episode).
- The film was intended as a respectful homage to Rod Serling’s moral storytelling but received mixed reviews due to tonal inconsistency.
Inspirations and References
- Based on Rod Serling’s original TV series (1959–1964).
- “It’s a Good Life” and “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” are direct remakes of classic episodes.
- Spielberg’s “Kick the Can” reflects his ongoing fascination with childhood, aging, and wonder (also themes in E.T.).
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The “Time Out” segment was drastically altered after the on-set tragedy. Originally, it ended with Bill Connor rescuing two Vietnamese children, suggesting redemption. The final cut removed this resolution, ending on a darker note. Other minor deleted scenes include additional dialogue in “Kick the Can” that deepened the elderly residents’ backstories.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While not directly based on a single book, Twilight Zone: The Movie takes heavy inspiration from the original TV episodes written by Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont, and Rod Serling. The film amplifies the visual and emotional scale of the stories but loses some of the show’s subtle social commentary.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The prologue’s “something really scary” jump scare.
- The helicopter chase in “Time Out.”
- Elderly residents transforming into children in “Kick the Can.”
- The cartoon-horror visuals of “It’s a Good Life.”
- Lithgow’s panic attack in the airplane bathroom in “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.”
Iconic Quotes
- “Do you want to see something really scary?” – Dan Aykroyd
- “You’re traveling through another dimension…” – Narrator voiceover
- “It’s a good life… isn’t it, Anthony?” – Helen
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The film begins and ends with nods to the original series’ opening narration.
- The gremlin in “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” was redesigned but pays homage to the original episode’s creature suit.
- Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson) appears in “It’s a Good Life.”
- Rod Serling’s voiceover was re-recorded using an impersonator for authenticity.
Trivia
- The movie was Warner Bros.’ attempt to revive The Twilight Zone for a new generation.
- Steven Spielberg’s segment was shot in just 12 days.
- The film was banned temporarily in some countries after the helicopter incident.
- It inspired a short-lived Twilight Zone TV reboot in 1985.
Why Watch?
Watch Twilight Zone: The Movie to experience four iconic directors’ interpretations of one of television’s most influential shows. It’s a mix of horror, morality, and surreal imagination—uneven at times but undeniably ambitious. It also stands as a landmark in Hollywood history, for both creative and cautionary reasons.
Director’s Other Movies
- An American Werewolf in London (1981)
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
- Gremlins (1984)
- The ’Burbs (1989)
- Mad Max (1979)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Creepshow (1982)
- Cat’s Eye (1985)
- Get Out (2017)
- The Outer Limits (1963 series)
- Tales from the Crypt (1989 series)
- Body Bags (1993)
