Galaxy of Terror

Galaxy of Terror (originally released as Mindwarp: An Infinity of Terror) is a 1981 American science fiction horror film directed by Bruce D. Clark and produced by Roger Corman through New World Pictures. It stars Edward Albert, Erin Moran, Ray Walston, Taaffe O'Connell, and future horror film stars Sid Haig and Robert Englund. Set in a dystopian future where humanity is a spacefaring race ruled by a sole person called "The Master," the film features a space crew confronting primal fears after they are marooned on a distant planet.

The film has many of the hallmarks associated with the "B-movie" style Roger Corman became known for: low budget, up-and-coming production personnel, and exploitive material, including a notorious scene in which a giant maggot rapes Dameia (Taaffe O'Connell). It is also notable for its production design and visual effects, which were created by James Cameron in one of his earliest filmmaking credits.

Released on September 4, 1981, the film has developed a cult following. Critics have noted its influence on later productions, most notably Cameron's own Aliens (1986).

On the planet Morganthus, a monster kills the last survivor of a crashed spaceship. On the world of Xerxes, the Planet Master, someone whose face is obscured by an aura, instructs one of his military commanders to take the spaceship Quest to Morganthus. The Planet Master plays a chess-like game with an old woman, Mitri, who predicts that his actions will lead to ruin.

The Quest is piloted by Captain Trantor, a survivor of a space disaster that left her psychologically scarred. While approaching Morganthus's atmosphere, the ship veers out of control, but Trantor makes the landing. The rescue team then leaves the Quest in search of survivors.

The team reaches the other vessel and finds victims, making them think that a massacre took place. They take one body back for analysis and dispose of the rest. Cos, a young crewmember, becomes terrified of being on the ship. He is later killed by something that vanishes before anyone finds his remains.

The crew later discovers a force emanating from the pyramidal structure that pulled the Quest down and keeps it from lifting off. Leaving their ship, they approach the structure, which the psi-sensitive Alluma describes as "empty" and "dead". Splitting up, one team led by Commander Ilvar discovers an opening along a side of the pyramid. Ilvar insists, over the objections of his two younger counterparts, on going in first. While being lowered, Ilvar is attacked by tentacles within the chamber that drain his body of blood, killing him.

The other two continue on to the surface, linking up with the other group, and find another entrance. Leaving crewmember Quuhod to guard the entrance, the remaining four search inside the pyramid. Quuhod, who has a religious affinity for crystal stars, later sees one form in front of his eyes. Before he picks it up, the crystal springs to life and attacks him. As he tries remove it, a piece breaks off and begins sliding through his skin, forcing him to sever his arm to keep it from entering the remainder of his body. The dismembered arm becomes animated and throws the crystal star into his chest, killing him.