REVIEW: “Sting” (2024)

As a movie buff with a deep-rooted fear of spiders, I was immediately drawn to “Sting,” a creature feature that not only taps into one of the most common phobias but also delivers a self-aware and entertaining horror experience. Having grown up with my own family members sharing this same terrifying fear, I could relate to the automatic reactions and apprehension that this movie was sure to elicit.

Kiah Roache- Turner cleverly employs one of the universal phobias, spiders, with his film “Sting”. This fear, which transcends physical attributes and age groups, is so profound that it surpasses other fears for many people. In simpler terms, we’re talking about arachnophobia – a fear that even my family, including my wife and daughter, can’t ignore (they won’t step foot in the room once they learn the plot of “Sting”). As a result, Roache-Turner’s work immediately sparks strong reactions.

“However, ‘Sting’ is not a mere imitation seeking cheap scares. Instead, it’s a consciously crafted creature feature that acknowledges its audience and delivers a mix of chilling fright and humor. The film unapologetically showcases its influences, offering numerous nods to well-known sources, particularly James Cameron’s remarkable 1986 production ‘Aliens’.”

1. Roache-Turner immediately gets the action rolling: As a meteor narrowly misses New York City, a minuscule fragment collides with a shabby brownstone apartment building. Inside this building resides an adventurous 12-year-old named Charlotte (Alyla Browne), who finds a tiny egg-like object that hatches a spider. She places the spider in a Mason jar and names it Sting. From then on, she secretes her newfound pet into her room, keeping it hidden from her caring mother Heather (Penelope Mitchell) and her diligent stepfather Ethan (Ryan Corr).

As a cinema enthusiast, I’m about to be drawn into the intriguing world of this film over the next few minutes. Among the various residents, I’ll meet some interesting characters who are soon in for a terrifying B-movie experience. I’d like to introduce you to Helga (Noni Hazlehurst), my elderly grandmother, who is bravely battling dementia. Heather’s formidable great aunt, Gunter (Robyn Nevin), adds some spice to the story. We also have Maria (Silvia Colloca), a young woman mourning her loss, and Erik (Danny Kim), an awkward biology student. To lighten the mood, there’s Frank (Jermaine Fowler), the local exterminator with his well-timed humor.

With a constant supply of cockroaches from Charlotte, Sting the spider expands at an astonishing pace. Not much time passes before it breaks free from its container and navigates into the building’s ventilation system. As its hunger intensifies, this colossal arachnid evolves from snacking on roaches to devouring humans. Its relentless desire for human flesh brings about disturbing sequences that could make even the bravest person with arachnophobia shudder and shield their eyes.

The movie attempts to blend tones, resulting in an uneven flow between gruesome monster attacks and humorous moments. A family drama interspersed throughout adds heartfelt scenes, yet fails to leave a lasting emotional impression. Consequently, some touching moments arise, contributing to the film’s climax, but they occasionally clash with the overall theme.

Despite Roache-Turner’s film “Sting” being a modern take on classic creature features, he skillfully balances amusement and dread. Laughter and fear interchangeably grip us. The Weta Workshop team excels in delivering chilling creature effects, eliciting terror regardless of arachnophobia. “Sting” is now accessible on VOD and home video.

2024-07-30 17:56

REVIEW: “Sting” (2024)

Read More

Minority Mindset