5 of the Most Thrilling Creature-Feature Films!
As children, our imaginations were filled with fictional monsters lurking in the shadows, ready to attack at the slightest movement.
Our minds led us to think these creatures resided under our bed or closest, prepared to jump out and devour us the moment darkness took over the room. Luckily, these monsters didn’t manifest into real creatures and remained in our imagination.
However, you can certainly count on the cinematic universe to bring monsters to life who inhabit some of the most unexpected spaces. From eerie caves to the ocean’s depths, join me as we discuss five creature-feature movies that are absolute must-watches.
1.) The Thing (1982)
Directed by John Carpenter, this movie will keep you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end when the credits start rolling. It follows a group of research scientists working in Antarctica whom a shapeshifting alien ruthlessly pursues.
As the alien can shapeshift into anything and anyone, this movie excels at placing you in a state of paranoia and hyper-awareness, as you can’t ascertain who is a human and whose body has been taken over by an alien.
This theme of mistrust is expertly portrayed by the characters, who simply want to survive this uncomfortable situation.
The alien is the most unpredictable aspect of this film, as you never know if our group of researchers is genuinely safe. If you’re looking for an eye-catching film that will keep your eyes glued to the screen, “The Thing” is a creature feature that is certainly worth your time.
2.) The Cave (2005)
This film features unfortunate situations, such as a claustrophobic environment and a flesh-eating creature. That’s certainly not something you see every day.
“The Cave” depicts the journey of a group of cave divers and researchers who become trapped while exploring an underwater cave system in Romania. Shortly after, they are attacked by an unknown and violent creature.
Although this film has mixed reviews due to its plot, it immediately captures your attention as you root for the characters on screen. This stressful experience creates tensions surrounding the characters, which plays an integral role in the film’s development.
What I enjoyed most about this film is that it takes place in an environment that is constantly closing in on you due to the never-ending series of pathways in the cave.
This film also has a jaw-dropping ending, which I thoroughly enjoyed as it added more depth to the movie. Are you brave enough to venture into the dangerous world of “The Cave”?
3.) The Host (2006)
Foreign-language films are hidden gems, and the Korean film “The Host” fully showcases this. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, the movie follows a father who rushes to find his daughter, who is taken by a creature that appears from the Han River years after a chemical spill.
Due to the relationship between the father and daughter, this movie has some heartwarming moments that perfectly contrast with political commentary and stellar acting. It also features a dysfunctional family, as the father enlists the help of other family members to help locate his daughter.
As the father embarks on this treacherous journey, the audience can only hope that he finds his daughter before she becomes the monster’s next meal. In addition, the creature itself is mutated and violent and captures your attention every time.
If you’re on the hunt for an excellent foreign language film, “The Host” is a must-watch!
4.) Crawl (2019)
A hurricane is a harrowing experience that forever disrupts the lives of those unfortunate to be caught in its wrath. However, the intensity of a storm, combined with the threat of large alligators, is a terrifying experience that no one wants to endure.
However, this is the story of our protagonist, Haley, who tries to save her father in their home when a catastrophic Hurricane occurs in Florida. During this rescue, Haley and her father are attacked by alligators and must find a way to survive this life-changing experience.
My favorite aspect of this film is that it creates a frightening environment while having touching moments between a father and daughter trying to repair their relationship. As hurricanes are prevalent in Florida, this emphasizes the realistic nature of the movie while also making it relatable for the audience.
Several aspects of this film will have you holding your breath as the alligators persistently try to sink their teeth into Haley and her father.
“Crawl” is an underrated movie, which is perfect to watch while you’re curled up in bed on a Friday night.
5.) Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Who doesn't love a good shark movie? I know I do! The success of “Jaws” has paved the way for several shark movies to shine, bringing forth several entertaining films.
“Deep Blue Sea” follows a group of scientists searching for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and do so by testing on sharks. While at this research facility, the hyper-aware sharks begin to attack the researchers, who must find a way to stop the sharks from escaping into the ocean.
This movie has a comedic side, perfectly balancing the intense moments that occur when the shark attacks. The scientific aspects of this film are also well done and truly make you believe that the researchers have good intentions.
With a stellar cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, “Deep Blue Sea” perfectly encapsulates everything that can go wrong when human beings go too far with experiments.
“Deep Blue Sea” also utilizes one location to its advantage and keeps the audience entertained throughout the film.
If you enjoy shark films, this one is for you!
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Thank you for reading!
What are some of your favorite creature feature films?
