Crawl (2019) || A Straight-up Creature Feature

If you're a fan of disaster movies mixed with a healthy dose of killer animals, this film might just be the one for you. It's a fast-paced, tension-filled thriller that combines the terror of a natural disaster with the sheer horror of being hunted by deadly predators. While it’s far from perfect, it manages to deliver enough adrenaline pumping moments to keep you at the edge of your seat.

Synopsis (Spoilers)

Directed by Alexandre Aja, this film opens with Haley, a college swimmer, receiving a call from her sister about their estranged father, Dave, who hasn’t been responding to calls. Despite a Category 5 hurricane bearing down on their Florida hometown, Haley decides to check on him. She heads to his old house, only to find him injured in the crawlspace beneath the house, with giant alligators lurking all around.

From there, the movie turns into a survival story. With the floodwaters rising rapidly, Haley and her father are trapped beneath the house, trying to outwit and outrun the alligators. The storm outside is unforgiving and the creatures in the water are even worse. It becomes a battle of wits and endurance as Haley and Dave fight to survive both the flood and the jaws of these monstrous gators.

My Review and Rating

I should have suspected from the title that this film is one to make someone's skin crawl. Let’s just say this is one of those movies that knows exactly what it is: a straight-up creature feature. It doesn’t pretend to be deep or philosophical. It’s all about survival, terror and the instinct to stay alive. And honestly, I was on board for it. From the get-go, the movie dives right into the action and it never really lets up. The tension is relentless and as the water rises and the gators get more aggressive, you can feel your heart rate go up a notch.

Now, let’s talk about Haley. Kaya Scodelario, who plays her, is excellent in the role. She manages to make her character feel both vulnerable and fierce. I mean, the girl literally swims with alligators and manages to hold her own! The father-daughter dynamic between Haley and Dave, played by Barry Pepper, was surprisingly touching too. Their relationship added a little more depth to what would otherwise just be a "run-from-the-monsters" plot. But, and this is a big but, there were moments where I wanted to scream at the screen because of their questionable decisions. Like, why the heck are you swimming straight into the jaws of an alligator when you could have just stayed put? It's one of those movies where you’ll find yourself yelling, “Don’t do that!” more than once.

I also have to throw in some personal criticism. The CGI for the alligators was decent but it wasn’t always great. There were moments when the gators looked super realistic and other times where I felt like I was watching a late 90s monster movie. Also, some of the plot points are just...well, they stretch the boundaries of believability. I get that Haley is a strong swimmer, but really? She survives multiple alligator attacks, gets thrown around like a rag doll and somehow manages to get back up every time? Lol. Felt like watching Peter Griffin being struck to death by lightning but manages to come back alive and unscathed in the next episode. It was bordering on superhero territory by the end and while I love a strong protagonist, I couldn’t help but chuckle at some of her near-invincible moments.

That said, the movie does excel at building tension. The use of the rising floodwaters as a ticking clock was a brilliant move which I commend. You’re constantly aware that time is running out and it makes every encounter with the gators feel that much more dangerous. The claustrophobic setting of the crawlspace, combined with the relentless storm, made the stakes feel real. I have to give it credit for making me genuinely anxious throughout.

Overall, I think Crawl isn’t going to win any awards for its plot or character development, but it’s a solid, entertaining creature feature that delivers exactly what it promises. It’s a fun, intense ride that’s perfect for a night when you just want to watch something thrilling and a little bit ridiculous.

I'll leave it with a rating of 3.5/5. If you can suspend your disbelief and just go with the flow, this film offers a good mix of tension, action and gator filled thrills. Just don’t expect too much in terms of realism and you’ll have a great time.