Death Is a Bad Trip

A planned explosion at a quiet bookstore detonates into chaos, forcing the people inside to flee as layers of danger and mystery reveal themselves. What starts as sabotage quickly complicates into a series of desperate escapes, as smoke, blocked passages and sudden threats test patience and nerves. The story follows a small cast of characters, including Jerry Gerard, Charlie, Randy, Corrigan and Kimberly, who respond in different ways as trust erodes and secrets surface. The movie keeps its focus tight on the confined setting, using the confined space to heighten tension and introduce odd, possibly otherworldly complications without giving away crucial twists or the final outcome.

Released in 1974 as a made-for-television feature, Death Is a Bad Trip blends horror, mystery and science fiction tones. The ensemble includes Peter Coffield, Charles Dierkop, Tom Heaton, Tim O'Connor and Tisha Sterling, who bring varied screen experience to the compact, suspense-driven drama that played on television rather than in theaters.

As a TV movie it did not have a theatrical box office run, so no box office figures are available. Its circulation was limited to television broadcasts and occasional listings in program guides, which means it didn’t generate box office revenue in the way theatrical releases did, and any later availability came through archives or niche airings.

There’s no record of major awards or mainstream nominations for this title. Any recognition the film received tended to be informal, appearing in regional program notes or among fans of obscure television horror, rather than through established prize circuits or prominent festival honors.

Critical attention at the time was limited, leaving the film relatively obscure, but viewers who encounter it will notice recurring themes of paranoia, fractured trust and how ordinary public places can become threatening. Its 1970s TV production values emphasize atmosphere and character interaction over spectacle, and that restrained approach gives the movie a particular mood that appeals to fans of small, tension-focused genre pieces.