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 & 8 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

giant insect | insect | disease | entomologist | cockroach | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror/violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The escalator in Delancey Street subway station is shown as dismantled for maintenance because the scene was filmed on a Toronto subway station platform that was closed in 1966, so its escalator was removed (See also Thrill Seekers (1999)).

---

Goofs

In the last scene where the male bug is struck by the train, you see it struggling to hold onto the front of the train for a while. It manages to hang in there for a little while before being pulled under and splattered everywhere. But when Dr Susan looks around the corner, after the bug is killed, she sees parts of the bug just meters away from where she was hiding. The bug should be further down the tracks, because it was dragged for ages before going under.

---

Quotes

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

---

Alternate Versions

Guillermo del Toro released a director's cut in 2011. It runs for 112 minutes.

---

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Leave It to Beaver/Money Talks/Mimic/Masterminds/Gabbeh (1997)

---

Soundtracks

The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell)
(uncredited)
Music by Benjamin Britten

User Reviews

An underrated movie in about every way.

I realize that there have been LOTS of giant bug movies made, but there have been very few that have had a combination of great acting and superior special effects. This movie has both and throw in a lot of suspense. There are great moments in this movie that it seems passed most people by. No, it wasnt a big money maker(I honestly dont remember it hitting the theaters)but it is tremendous movie. Some didnt like the ending, but I did. I came to like these characters so much that I wanted them to survive. Thats a tribute to the actors for creating interesting characters. By comparison to other movies of this kind, I would say it belongs in the top five. If Aliens is counted as a 'bug' movie, I feel it is on top and I would put the 50's ant movie Them up there, too. Mimic belongs there, without question. It deserves so much more than the ratings Ive seen on here. Its a 9 out of 10 in my book.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

22 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Judus

Filming Locations:

Osgoode Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,818,208, 24 August 1997

Gross USA:

$25,480,490

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$25,480,803

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min 112 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1