They Nest (2000) (TV)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Ellory Elkayem

Writers (WGA):

John Claflin (written by) &
Daniel Zelman (written by)

Release Date:

25 July 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Horror

Tagline:

It's feeding time...

Plot:

A Maine island becomes infested with lethal insects that root inside their victims, while a local doctor battles the bugs and incorrigible locals that don't believe him.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Maine | Doctor | Sheriff | Insect

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Thomas Calabro	...	Dr. Ben Cahill
Dean Stockwell	...	Sheriff Hobbs
John Savage	...	Jack Wald
Kristen Dalton	...	Nell Bartle
Tom McBeath	...	Eamon Wald
Mark Schooley	...	Johnnie Skee
Travis MacDonald	...	Enoch Piper
Dean Wray	...	Josiah Bean
Lee Jay Bamberry	...	Guy Barter
Shaina Tianne Unger	...	Sarah Barter (as Shaina Unger)
Marcel Maillard	...	Al Crump
Alexander Pollock	...	Henry S. Crump
Deb Pickman	...	Peggy Crump
Walter Marsh	...	Vinyl
Rebecca Toolan	...	Mrs. Bartle

Also Known As:

Creepy Crawlers (Canada: English title) (USA) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for creature violence and peril.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Germany:16 | Norway:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Kushner-Locke Company, The

a decent Arachnophobia-type film

In the northwest Atlantic, the crew of a freighter dumps a shipmate overboard, correctly believing that his still-living body is a host for the eggs of a voracious and very aggressive species of cockroach-like insects. The body soon washes ashore on an island in Casco Bay, Maine. The insects quickly get loose on the island.

Meanwhile, a troubled Boston doctor, Benjamin Cahill (Calabro), takes an extended vacation on the island and is the first to notice strange things associated with the insects. The islanders distrust mainlanders and are understandably skeptical about anything he might have to say. He is further hampered when he runs over and kills a temperamental local electrician (Savage).

Soon, the insects are killing lots of islanders and even develop the ability to fly. It is up to Cahill, Sheriff Hobbs (Stockwell), and Nell Bartle (Dalton) to warn the outside world and evacuate the island.

"They Nest" certainly lacks originality and is strongly reminiscent of "Arachnophobia" (1990). Despite this, it is an effective and well made horror film with top notch special effects. The cast is competent and Dean Stockwell is very good as the sheriff. Lack of originality aside, if there is anything to criticize it is that most of the island's men seem to be ignorant and bitter toughs and are anything but helpful. The women, on the other hand, are open-minded and assist Dr. Cahill.

This film lacks the humorous aspects of "Arachnophobia," but the cast and crew took the material seriously and treated it with respect. No doubt more such films will be made that exploit the common fear and revulsion many have for insects and arachnids. "They Nest" is worthy of viewing for those who enjoyed "Arachnophobia" and similar films.