Guillermo del Toro Calls This Free-to-Stream Horror “The ‘Citizen Kane’ of giant insect films”
Elevated horror is nice and all, but sometimes a farcical romp just hits the spot for me. No need to digest and dissect heavy emotional themes, just sit back and revel in the over-the-top nature of it all. There are many creature features from the 1950s that fit that bill, but only one has been hailed as “the Citizen Kane of giant insect films” by the great Guillermo del Toro. That film is none other than Gordon Douglas’s Them!
With such a glowing endorsement from such a decorated filmmaker, you’re probably wondering how on earth you can watch Them! Well, you’re in luck, dear reader. It just so happens that this campy creature feature is currently available to stream free of charge via Fandango at Home.
The setup for this outlandish exercise in monstrous mayhem is this: Sergeant Ben Peterson (James Whitmore) happens upon a catatonic child (Sandy Descher) roaming the desert. Soon thereafter, he learns that the entire area where she was discovered is presently being ravaged by giant insects. Ahhhhh!
Though the film relies on B-movie trappings, many fans and critics have praised it as a captivating, suspenseful science fiction flick. Among the film’s biggest champions is Guillermo del Toro. You can see exactly what he digs about the flick via the X (formerly Twitter) post below:
While del Toro is undoubtedly an outspoken fan of the picture, he’s far from the only one. The flick has managed to establish a stellar reputation in the decades since its 1954 release. It has since been certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a commendable critical approval rating of 93%. Not to mention, the audience score comes in not too far behind at a very favorable 77%.
What exactly do people like about the film? I’m glad you asked. Them! is widely considered a top-tier creature feature that serves up stellar effects, memorable creature design, and strong performances from a talented cast. Others still connect with the somber tone that delves into camp territory on occasion but never devolves into parody.
Watch the Trailer Here
Does del Toro’s seal of approval have you itching to experience Them!? If so, navigate over to Fandango at Home, where you can currently find the film streaming free of charge. If you decide to check it out, make sure to hit me up on Twitter or Instagram to let me know what you thought.
Categorized: Streaming News
