‘Crawl‘ is a 2019 creature feature horror film directed by Alexandre Aja and produced by Sam Raimi. It was written by brothers Michael and Shawn Rasmussen.

Haley Keller (Kaya Scodelario) is a competitive swimmer who recently did not score well. She gets a call from her sister Beth (Morfydd Clark) who warns her that a hurricane is coming to Florida, but she cannot get a hold of their estranged father Dave (Barry Pepper). Haley agrees to go find her father but finds his condo empty. She decides to check out their old family home that is up for sale but finds emergency workers have blocked the way because it is in a flood zone. She pushes past the workers and goes to their family where she finds the family dog Sugar alone. After hearing a radio, she searches and discovers her father is injured in the basement and an alligator is waiting for a chance to strike. With floodwaters coming in, it is only a matter of time before the alligator gets an advantage and eats them both.

This movie is sort of a modern creature feature with a terrifying monster that is stalking its victims. From that regard, the simplistic story is nothing we have not seen before. However, that is part of the film’s charm. It does not ground itself into politics nor does it try to be something that it is not. The CGI is a bit wonky at times, but overall, the alligators do appear real.

Pepper and Scodelario carry the film very well. For a plot that relies heavily on the two actors, it utilizes them very well and develops their characters in an excellent way. You truly feel the tension in their relationship, the growing stakes as the home floods, and their desperation as they struggle for survival.

I will admit, I am not familiar with Aja’s work, though I have heard good things. I will say, I did enjoy how he crafted this film and I applaud him for not bogging it down with a lot of minutiae. He kept it on point, hit the right notes, and wrapped it up nicely.

Bottom line, Crawl is a decent film that tells its story in a straightforward manner and delivers on all of the creature feature tension. It has good acting and a plot with all of the thrills.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Some foul language, Some bloody violence

FAVORITE QUOTE: You’re an apex predator.

Check out the trailer below:

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