Mimic (1997)
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A genetically modified insect designed to fight a cockroach infestation evolves into a deadly predator that begins hunting humans.
The story
In New York City, a deadly disease spread by cockroaches is killing children. To combat this, Dr. Susan Tyler uses genetic engineering to create the 'Judas breed,' a hybrid insect designed to eliminate the roaches. However, the engineered insects begin to evolve rapidly, developing the ability to mimic their human prey. When a series of mysterious attacks and sightings of large, mutated insects occur in the city's subway system, Dr. Tyler and her colleagues must venture into the tunnels to confront the growing threat of the mutated colony.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After the creation of the 'Judas breed' to combat a cockroach-borne disease, the insects evolve into a viable species within three years, developing lungs and the ability to mimic humans. When a 'weird bug' is discovered in the subway, Dr. Susan Tyler realizes the threat. While investigating the tunnels, several people are attacked by the creatures. Susan is captured and later rescued by Manny, a local man, and others who barricade themselves in a train car. They discover the insects are evolving at an accelerated rate. They plan to reach the track switches to move the train and escape, while Susan aims to destroy the colony's single fertile male. During the escape, several characters are killed by the creatures. Peter, Susan's husband, stays behind to destroy the nest by blowing it up with a gas pipe. Susan and a young boy, Chuy, manage to escape the tunnel. Susan initially believes Peter died in the blast, but he eventually reappears, and the three survivors reunite.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 106
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Guillermo del Toro
- Writers
- Guillermo del Toro · screenplay; Matthew Robbins · screenplay; Guillermo del Toro · story; Matthew Robbins · story
- Cast and characters
- Mira Sorvino · Dr. Susan Tyler; Jeremy Northam · Dr. Peter Mann; Josh Brolin · Josh Maslow; Giancarlo Giannini · Manny Gavoila; F. Murray Abraham · Dr. Walter Gates; Charles S. Dutton · Officer Leonard Norton; Alexander Goodwin · Chuy Gavoila; Alix Koromzay · Remy Panos
- Genres
- science-fiction; horror
- Themes
- genetic engineering; evolution
- Tone and mood
- horror; suspenseful
- Premise and plot tags
- monster; urban; mutation
- Source material / true-story basis
- Donald A. Wollheim's short story of the same name
- Franchise connections
- Mimic
- Reception
- The film received middling reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office, failing to recoup its budget.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 56 · scale: 100 · review count: 15
- Production trivia
- The film was a remake of a 1994 Danish film by Bornedal.; The character of Manny was originally intended for actor Federico Luppi.; The film was originally planned as one of three 30-minute short films.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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