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Arachnophobia
1990 109 min United States of America PG-13 18+
★7.0
Comedy, Horror
Director: Frank Marshall
Trailers
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Description
A large spider from the jungles of South America is accidentally transported in a crate with a dead body to America where it mates with a local spider. Soon after, the residents of a small California town disappear as the result of spider bites from the deadly spider offspring. It's up to a couple of doctors with the help of an insect exterminator to annihilate these eight legged freaks.
Budget:
$31M
US Gross:
$53.21M
Worldwide:
$53.2M
Starring
Jeff Daniels
Actor
Julian Sands
Actor
John Goodman
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1991
— Best Horror Film
Saturn Awards 1991
— Best Actor
Saturn Awards 1991
— Best Director
Saturn Awards 1991
— Best Screenplay
Saturn Awards 1991
— Best Actor
Key opinion
Arachnophobia is widely regarded as a successful, well-crafted creature feature that effectively blends tension with lighthearted comedic elements. While some critics feel it lacks originality or pacing, most audiences and reviewers praise its practical effects and strong ensemble cast.
| Production | The use of real spiders and practical models creates a visceral sense of dread that remains effective. | |
| Acting | John Goodman delivers a standout performance as the quirky pest exterminator that provides the film's comedic backbone. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography effectively captures the spiders' movements and creates suspenseful, claustrophobic close-ups. | |
| Acting | Jeff Daniels provides a convincing lead performance as the relatable, arachnophobic protagonist. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some find the blend of adventure, comedy, and horror perfectly balanced, while others find the premise derivative or the script lacking in substance. | |
| Pacing | While some viewers find the film consistently engaging, others argue the pacing is slow and requires patience due to excessive dialogue. |