Mimic (1997)

Three years ago entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease, now the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind!

Director:

Guillermo del Toro

Writers:

Donald A. Wollheim (short story "Mimic"), Matthew Robbins (screen story),

Stars:

Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Alexander Goodwin

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mira Sorvino	...	Dr. Susan Tyler
Jeremy Northam	...	Dr. Peter Mann
Alexander Goodwin	...	Chuy
Giancarlo Giannini	...	Manny
Charles S. Dutton	...	Leonard
Josh Brolin	...	Josh
Alix Koromzay	...	Remy
F. Murray Abraham	...	Dr. Gates
James Costa	...	Ricky
Javon Barnwell	...	Davis
Norman Reedus	...	Jeremy
Pak-Kwong Ho	...	Preacher
Glenn Bang	...	Yang (as Glen Bang)
Margaret Ma	...	Chinese Woman
Warna Fisher	...	Bag Lady

Storyline

A disease carried by common cockroaches is killing Manhattan children. In an effort to stop the epidemic an entomologist, Susan Tyler, 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.

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Plot Keywords:

insect | disease | entomologist | epidemic | cockroach | 

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Taglines:

For thousands of years, man has been evolution's greatest creation... until now.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror/violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

22 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Judus

Filming Locations:

Disused lower platform, Bay subway station, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£487,821 (UK) (26 June 1998)

Gross:

£1,485,223 (UK) (17 July 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films, Miramax Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min 112 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Screenwriters Matt Greenberg and John Sayles are uncredited in the movie, but were credited in some of the trailers and TV spots.

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Goofs

In an aerial stock shot at around 9:00 min running time of the Director's Cut, the PanAm Building is to be seen. It was re-branded MetLife Building in 1993, when in fact the film is set in 1997.

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Quotes

Dr. Gates: [to Susan] So... you think your little "Frankenstein" has gotten the better of you?

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Connections

References The Nest (1988)

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Soundtracks

"Wake Up This Morning"
By Jim Latham
Performed by Doug MacLeod
Courtesy by Mar-Time Music

User Reviews

As good as it had any right to be.

Just like the giant cockroaches in the movie mimic their predators (humans), director Guillermo Del Toro mimics David Fincher's style in "Seven": gimmicky opening credits, excessively dark photography, constant rain, claustrophobic atmosphere. Nonetheless, it is his superior craftsmanship and visual sense that elevates this otherwise standard, conventional monster movie into an above-average standard, conventional monster movie. He is helped, of course, by a capable cast (Mira Sorvino holds her own as the lead), and by the impressively designed creatures, which look much better than the monsters in some more recent horror films. (**1/2)