ARACHNOPHOBIA (1990)
Horror films filled with masked serial killers, demons, ghosts, possessed dolls, and clowns all strike fear in audiences. However, there is only one “comedy” movie that I have repeatedly witnessed friends and family refuse to watch again. That is the classic horror-comedy (yes, classic) Amblin Entertainment blockbuster ARACHNOPHOBIA from 1990.
The setup for the film is straightforward and perfect: During an expedition in Venezuela, a scientist named James Atherton (Julian Sands) discovers a new species of spiders in a remote area of the jungle. One bite from this spider and you are dead.
One of the spiders hitches a ride back to the United States to the fictional small town of Canaima, California. (I won’t spoil how the spider gets to California as the start of the film features a terrifying sequence that made me check my bed’s covers for years.)
The story then focuses on Dr. Ross Jennings (Jeff Daniels) and his family who have recently moved from the big city and into the countryside of this small town. When the family encounters a common house spider you learn Dr. Jennings is—you guessed it—a real arachnophobe. He can barely function around spiders.
The family, however, is unaware that they are not the only new inhabitants of the home—but the killer spider from Valenzuela has made the Jennings’ barn into a nest and the headquarters for the chaos that soon unfurls.
If you grew up in the ‘90s, this movie was a staple rental at the video store and a fixture on weekend cable TV. What puzzled my family and me was that our local Blockbuster Video had this tape in the comedy section. COMEDY?! An invasive species of spiders killing people is the stuff of nightmares.
Sure, we may be afraid of a ghost or maybe a shark, but are they are going to come after you in your home while you are sleeping or peacefully watching TV? A spider can. Is it realistic an invasive species of animals or insects can kill you? Google "Murder Hornets" and then tell me you didn’t start to panic a little.
Don't get me wrong, ARACHNOPHOBIA has its share of laughs. The tone of the film blends perfectly with comedy and suspense, with each townsperson getting a comedic moment. The cast is highlighted by a great supporting performance by John Goodman who plays the local exterminator Delbert. He's a collector of beer cans who delivers classic quotes like "Yeah, that’s right I’m bad!” and “ROCK AND ROLL!”.
Of course, there is also Jeff Daniels’ performance which carries the film. He may be better known to audiences and ‘90s kids like me as Harry in DUMB AND DUMBER but, to me, this is a more memorable role. His expressions of fear and paranoia of the spiders are both captivating and relatable to the audience. He's an everyman trying to protect the town and his family from what he fears most.
When you think of horror-comedy directors of that time period names like Joe Dante or Sam Raimi come to mind. Surprisingly the film is the directorial debut of long-time Spielberg producer Frank Marshall. You would recognize his name in the credits of iconic ‘80s blockbusters like RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, POLTERGEIST, and WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?.
It's not surprising the film is influenced by ‘80s era Spielberg—filled with great jump scares, practical special effects (no CGI), and, at the center, your "typical" American family terrorized by something we all have encountered: spiders. Marshall himself has described the film as a "rollercoaster," and "thrillomedy” which is far more accurate. You want to yell in terror at every drop but also laugh on the way down. And, like an amusement park, you can experience it with your family as well.
There are also so many great shots and sequences that Marshall handles with great patience and fantastic payoffs.
The most memorable is the sequence involving the nursery rhyme “Itsy Bitsy Spider” with two children in the film. It’s brilliant.
Also, you will check twice before you use the toilet or take a shower again after watching a particularly spine-tingling sequence. What's amazing is that some of these sequences include real spiders. It’s an amazing technological achievement that you wish you would see more often in films.
What makes this film a must-see is its final showdown. Without too many spoilers, Jennings must face his fears to save his family and his own life. It's the classic man vs. beast or in this case a swarm of "beasts." Similar to the epic final showdown in JAWS, our everyman protagonist must use whatever he can to take down the monster. Except it's not a 25-foot great white shark, but, instead, a spider that can fit in the palm of your hand.
Daniels’ performance in the climax is electric. And, like JAWS, the musical cues by Trevor Jones are especially memorable and perfectly placed to further intensify the sequence.
ARACHNOPHOBIA is an underrated thrillomedy gem'; a must-watch that you can include with the kids (if they can stomach spider-related deaths).
It's a trip down memory lane to a time before CGI monsters would dominate. And unlike your straight-to-DVD campy creature features, this film resides in reality with relatable characters and settings. It’s amazing that, rewatching it 32 years later, so much of it still holds up so well.
Marshall’s film is usually readily available on most streaming applications, however, currently, it is available for rental on most applications such as YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon. So, relax, get cozy, get a blanket, make some popcorn, and remember to check underneath the covers and be careful what you grab as you get your snack on—there may be a spider.
