Zapped! (released in theaters on September 3, 1982) materializes on the screen as a broad, quintessentially early-1980s sci-fi teen sex comedy that filters the standard high school subgenre through a lens of comic book fantasy.
Directed by Robert J. Rosenthal, the plot centers on Barney Springboro (Scott Baio), an intelligent, somewhat nerdy high school student who spends his free time conducting botanical and chemical experiments in the school science lab.
Barney’s quiet life changes drastically when a chaotic lab accident involving mice, high-voltage electricity, and an volatile experimental formula grants him genuine telekinetic powers.
Initially shocked by his newfound ability to move objects with his mind, Barney confides in his best friend, Peyton Nichols (Willie Aames), a fast-talking, girl-crazy opportunist who instantly sees the money-making and voyeuristic potential of Barney’s spectacular mental gifts.
Peyton quickly convinces Barney to exploit his powers for personal gain, utilizing them to rig a local high school baseball game and cheat at a high-stakes poker game against college jock Robert Wolcott (Greg Bradford).
Meanwhile, Barney tries to navigate his genuine romantic affection for Bernadette (Felice Schachter), the smart and politically active class president, while Peyton pursues Jane Mitchell (Heather Thomas), the beautiful and popular prom queen.
As the school’s principal, Walter Coolidge (Robert Mandan), grows increasingly suspicious of the bizarre occurrences around campus, Barney even encounters Dexter Jones (Scatman Crothers), an the school’s baseball coach who gets caught up in the supernatural chaos.
The narrative reaches its rowdy, special-effects-heavy climax at the senior prom, where Barney uses his telekinetic strength to expose the hypocrisy of his peers and teachers, unleashing total pandemonium on the dance floor.
Corinne Bohrer, Susan Ursitti, Irwin Keyes, Merritt Butrick and Roger Bowen round out the supporting cast.
Heather Thomas in Zapped! (Photo/Embassy Pictures)
Reception for Zapped!
Zapped! grossed $3 million on its opening weekend, finishing fourth at the box office.
The film would gross $16.9 million in its theatrical run.
Zapped! was followed by a direct-to-video sequel, Zapped Again! in 1990. Linda Blair, Lyle Alzado, Karen Black and Kelli Williams starred.
Baio and Aames would go on to co-star on the long-running television series Charles in Charge.
Legacy
The legacy of Zapped! is anchored in its status as a definitive, highly nostalgic piece of 1980s cable television and video rental pop culture history.
Capitalizing on the immense television stardom of its lead actors from Happy Days and Eight Is Enough, the low-budget production defied harsh critical reviews to become a notable box office success, grossing nearly seventeen million dollars.
Zapped! stands as a fascinating, self-aware companion piece to Carrie, subverting Stephen King’s tragic telekinetic horror premise into a lighthearted, teenage wish-fulfillment fantasy.
While its broad humor and gender politics are heavily dated by modern standards, the feature remains deeply appreciated by cult film enthusiasts for its practical visual effects, its memorable synth-pop soundtrack, and its preservation of the era’s specific drive-in movie aesthetic.
