Slither (stylized as SLiTHER) is a 2006 science fiction-horror-comedy film written and directed by James Gunn (his directorial debut), and starring Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks and Michael Rooker (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer; The Walking Dead).
Gunn was said to be influenced by the wave of graphically violent horror movies of the late 1970s and early 1980s, largely created by such directors as John Carpenter, Lloyd Kaufman, David Cronenberg, Stuart Gordon and Fred Dekker; Slither was noted by critics as having close similarities to older staples like The Blob (1958), Night of the Living Dead (1968), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1979), Tremors (1990), and in particular Night of the Creeps (1986).
Plot teaser:
A meteor housing a malevolent alien parasite crashes into the town of Wheelsy, South Carolina. While frolicking in the woods with Brenda (Brenda James), local big shot car dealer Grant Grant (Rooker) is subsequently infected and killed by the parasite. The parasite takes over his body and absorbs his consciousness and memories. With the alien (called “The Long One”) now in control of his body, ‘Grant’ begins to slowly change into a hideous tentacular slug-like monster.
No-one suspects Grant of the serial pet murders that have occurred around town, however his wife Starla (Banks) begins to question his health. He avoids doctors appointments and crafts lies to keep her in the dark. Sensing her distance from her husband, her childhood crush, town sheriff Bill Pardy (Fillion), attempts to reassure and comfort her while not acting on his own feelings.
Grant infects the lonely and neglected Brenda with hundreds of his “offspring.” He secrets her in an isolated barn where she in turn becomes massively obese as baby alien slugs grow inside her. Sheriff Bill Pardy leads a small group of officers on a hunt for Grant only to be lured into a trap where Brenda explodes releasing hundreds of the alien slugs. Most of Pardy’s group become infected, zombie-like creatures.
Reviews:
“Writer-director James Gunn, who wrote 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, makes a very specific kind of film for a very specific audience. Those compelled by straight horror won’t be frightened, and those who enjoy their comedies without having to gag from disgust won’t be laughing. This movie is for those who can spot Gunn’s many visual and thematic references to the films that inspired him, who can grasp the irony of his characters, and who can appreciate his plentiful use of tangible makeup effects.” Deep Focus
“You may be tempted to read the victims’ insatiable hunger as a comment on America’s epidemic obesity; or you may be too busy laughing or vomiting to bother with such thematic niceties.” Nigel Floyd, Time Out
“Entrails and appendages make up only one part of Slither’s appeal, though. While Michael Rooker’s shambling horde takes over the town and increasingly disgusting mutants go on the offensive (watch out for the killer deer!), Gunn underwrites the carnage with a parched sense of humour that provokes barking belly laughs to off-set the offal. A string of artfully delivered one-liners and deftly handled exchanges crackle through the script, the (quite intentional) comedy not only adding substance but hoisting Slither above its schlocky source material.” James Dyer, Empire Magazine
Categories: 2000s, aliens from outer space, comedy horror, creature feature, monster movie, zombies
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