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Lake Placid
1999 82 min United States of America R 16+
★5.5
Horror, Comedy, Action, Science Fiction, Thriller
Director: Steve Miner
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
When a man is eaten alive by an unknown creature, the local Game Warden teams up with a paleontologist from New York to find the beast. Add to the mix an eccentric philanthropist with a penchant for "Crocs", and here we go! This quiet, remote lake is suddenly the focus of an intense search for a crocodile with a taste for live animals...and people!
Budget:
$27M
US Gross:
$31.77M
Worldwide:
$56.87M
Starring
Bridget Fonda
Actor
Bill Pullman
Actor
Oliver Platt
Actor
Key opinion
Lake Placid is widely recognized as a self-aware, witty creature feature that prioritizes character-driven humor and high-quality practical effects over traditional horror scares. While some critics find the blend of comedy and violence uneven, it is generally appreciated as an entertaining and distinct entry in the monster movie genre.
| Production | Stan Winston’s practical creature effects and Digital Domain’s CGI provide a high level of technical realism that holds up as the standout feature of the production. | |
| Acting | The cast—led by Bill Pullman, Brendan Gleeson, and Oliver Platt—delivers strong, witty, and engaging performances that elevate the script. | |
| Originality | The film succeeds as a lighthearted creature feature, with its self-aware, black-comedy tone setting it apart from more conventional, serious monster movies. | |
| Humor | Opinions on the script's humor are divided, with some viewers enjoying the witty, rapid-fire dialogue while others find the reliance on black humor and juvenile jokes jarring and poorly judged. | |
| Emotion | The film's genre identity is split; many praise it as a successful, fun action-comedy, while others criticize its failure to establish genuine horror tension or maintain a consistent tonal balance. |