The story follows Val McKee (Kevin Bacon) and Earl Bassett (Fred Ward), two handymen trying to escape their mundane lives in Perfection when a series of mysterious deaths begins to plague the town. As they investigate, they discover the cause of the deaths: giant underground worms that are terrorizing the town. As more people are attacked, the residents of Perfection must band together to outwit and survive the Graboids. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, using its creature feature premise to create moments of real suspense, balanced by plenty of humor and character-driven moments.

🌍 Performances: Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are the heart of Tremors, with their chemistry driving much of the film’s charm. Val and Earl are a hilarious, if unlikely, duo — tough yet relatable, and their banter adds a comedic edge to the high-stakes situation. The rest of the cast, including Reba McEntire and Michael Gross, also deliver great performances, with Reba playing a survivalist who brings some of the film’s funniest moments. The quirky characters add heart to the movie, making the audience care about them even as they fight for survival against the deadly worms.

🎥 Direction and Cinematography: Underwood directs with a balance of tension and humor, playing into the creature feature tropes but never allowing the film to become too self-serious. The special effects, especially considering the film’s budget, are impressive. The Graboids, which are giant, underground worms, are both terrifying and fascinating, and the film uses practical effects, model work, and creative camera angles to bring them to life. The tension builds well, with the residents of Perfection trying to navigate the treacherous terrain, knowing that the ground beneath them could suddenly give way to a deadly attack.