Overview

Troll is a 1986 American fantasy‑horror film directed by special‑effects artist and filmmaker John Carl Buechler. Buechler brought practical creature and makeup effects to the production, which blends elements of family melodrama, supernatural horror and quirky dark comedy. The movie became part of 1980s genre cinema and circulated widely on home video.

Plot and characteristics

The story follows ordinary people whose lives are disrupted when an otherworldly force invades an apartment building and transforms its residents into strange creatures. The film emphasizes practical animatronics and prosthetic makeup rather than optical effects, and it interweaves tension, small‑scale action scenes and occasional offbeat humor.

Production and creative team

John Carl Buechler, known primarily for his creature work in genre films, directed and supervised many of the effects that give Troll its distinctive look. The production is typical of mid‑1980s independent horror: modest budget, hands‑on effects work, and a cast that includes established character actors alongside less familiar faces.

Reception and legacy

At release the film received mixed reviews but later attracted a cult audience among fans of practical effects and low‑budget horror. It is often discussed alongside other 1980s creature features and is remembered for its imaginative monster designs more than mainstream critical acclaim. The movie has been reissued on home video formats and appears in retrospectives of decade‑specific genre filmmaking.

Relationship to other "Troll" titles

Although the title suggests a series, Troll has no direct narrative connection to the films marketed as Troll 2 and Troll 3. The later films were retitled or marketed to capitalize on the name despite differing casts, crews and storylines. For information specific to the 1986 picture, see Troll (1986) sources.

Notable facts

  • Recognized among aficionados for its hands‑on creature effects.
  • Part of a wider 1980s wave of low‑budget fantasy/horror mixing family drama and supernatural elements.
  • Often cited in discussions of cult cinema and home‑video era curiosities.