Mimic (1997)

October 26, 2022 8:41 AM

A disease carried by common cockroaches is killing Manhattan children. In an effort to stop the epidemic an entomologist, Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino), creates a mutant breed of insect that secretes a fluid to kill the roaches. This mutant breed was engineered to die after one generation, but three years later Susan finds out that the species has survived and evolved into a large, gruesome monster that can mimic human form.

Also starring Jeremy Northam, Alexander Goodwin, Josh Brolin, Alix Koromzay, Giancarlo Giannini, Charles S. Dutton, F. Murray Abraham, James Costa, James Kidnie, Javon Barnwell, Doug Jones, Norman Reedus.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Screenplay by Matthew Robbins & Guillermo del Toro, based on the short story by Donald A. Wollheim.

64% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on HBO Max. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (4 comments total)

This movie is essentially del Toro proving that he could make a studio film without having his unique style squashed. He comes out victorious, but not unscathed. Still worth seeing.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:50 AM on October 26, 2022

I'm pretty sure John Sayles (Matewan, City of Hope, Passion Fish) was a script doctor for this. I can't remember where I read that, but I remember believing it was a credible source at the time.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 6:02 PM on October 26, 2022

John Sayles also wrote Alligator. So I imagine he did indeed work on this movie.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 6:28 PM on October 26, 2022

I've heard he worked on this, too.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:28 PM on October 26, 2022