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Sssssss
1973 99 min United States of America PG 6+
★5.5
Horror, Science Fiction
Director: Bernard L. Kowalski
Trailers
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Description
David, a college student, is looking for a job. He is hired by Dr. Stoner as a lab assistant for his research and experiments on snakes. David also begins to fall for Stoner's young daughter, Kristina. However, the good doctor has secretly brewed up a serum that can transform any man into a King Cobra snake-and he plans to use it on David.
Starring
Strother Martin
Actor
Dirk Benedict
Actor
Heather Menzies-Urich
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1975
— Golden Scroll – Best Science Fiction Film
Key opinion
Sssssss is widely considered a lackluster entry in 70s horror, frequently criticized for its thin plot and dull pacing. While the use of real snakes provides some visceral thrills for those with herpetophobia, the film struggles to overcome its slow momentum and forgettable character work.
| Screenplay | The narrative relies on a generic, thin plot that lacks the compelling motivation or intensity found in better genre staples. | |
| Originality | The use of real snakes serves as the film’s primary draw, proving effectively unsettling for viewers with a specific phobia. | |
| Acting | Performances are largely criticized as bland or unsuccessful, with the lead actors failing to leave a memorable impression. | |
| Direction | Opinions on the technical execution are split: while some praise specific makeup or musical elements, others find the overall direction and production quality to be poor and TV-movie grade. | |
| Pacing | The slow, deliberate pacing and extended runtime are viewed as poorly managed, leading to a tedious viewing experience. |