Trigger Effect, The (Blu-ray Review)
Director
David KoeppRelease Date(s)
1996 (June 24, 2026)Studio(s)
Amblin Entertainment/Gramercy Pictures/Universal Pictures (Imprint Films/Via Vision Entertainment)- Film/Program Grade: B-
- Video Grade: A
- Audio Grade: A
- Extras Grade: A-
Review
[Editor’s Note: This is a Region-Free Australian Blu-ray import.]
David Koepp is a great screenwriter. He understands three act structures better than most anyone working in Hollywood. On paper, The Trigger Effect reads like the best Hitchcock film Hitchcock never made. Each of the three acts tick away like clockwork. There’s foreshadowing. Clear and believable goal posts and milestones. The characters do everything they need to do to cause conflict, raise stakes and power the film forward. There’s dread, a tightness that makes you anticipate the next moment and a valid and fair climax that makes you think back over the film as the credits roll. It’s a “good movie”. If you hand yourself over to it, you’ll have a good time. It’s programmed to please. In many ways it’s a perfect script but it’s far from a perfect film.
Matthew (Kyle MacLachlan) and Annie (Elisabeth Shue) are a young Californian couple living the good life with their newborn. Everything is coming up Milhouse for them. The sun shines during the day and the lights come on at night. Until one day, when they don’t. Thrown into a brownout, their comfortable lives now have a bit of strife. Nothing that a few candles and a flashlight can’t fix. Until one day, when they can’t. The power stays out longer than expected. Tensions rise in the neighborhood and the surrounding city. Children get sick and need medicine and supplies get scarce. Guns start to get carried and gruff friends with a thing for wives (Dermot Mulroney) move in to help protect the family unit. The things we have taken for granted, fall away with the smiling visage of society and you’d be amazed how quickly neighbors can become enemies.
The Trigger Effect isn’t a well-remembered classic and that isn’t anyone involved’s fault. Koepp’s writing and directing is excellent, the cast really shines (this may be one of MacLachlan’s best performances, even though he’s better regarded for other film roles) and the story works. It’s one of those movies that when someone reminds you it exists you say, “Oh, yeah, that’s a good movie.” And you move on with your life.
This Imprint Films release is a nice way for you to add the film to your physical library on the day you’re reminded it exists. Presented in 1080p high-def (in 1.85:1), it’s a good improvement over the presentation on Blu-ray from Mill Creek. The image has good detail, tight grain and nice color representation. Audio is given in both a playful English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround and a full LPCM 2.0 Stereo with English subs. Another improvement over previous releases are with the brand-new supplements. There’s a deep-dive commentary with David Koepp giving nice insight on his choices and inspirations and some fun details about how the film got made and some of the heavyweights behind the film. Love Thy Neighbor: Richard T. Jones Pops Up Again is a good interview with Jones, a 90s “that guy” and great character actor. Designing the Darkness: Building the World of The Trigger Effect is an interview with Howard Cummings, the film’s production designer who explains how he got involved with the film. Included as well are a series of vintage individual interviews with Kyle MacLachlan, Elisabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney and David Koepp along with the unrestored theatrical trailer.
The Trigger Effect is an interesting look at human nature, and a fun take on a slow burn apocalypse tale with solid acting. This Imprint release is a great way to dive in if you’re unfamiliar or looking to revisit.
- Todd Doogan