Small Town, Big Terror: the Invasion

Read Time:4 Minute, 35 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Squirm (Special Edition) (Blu-ray)
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Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction
Year Released: 1976, 2024 Kino Cult Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 32m
Director(s): Jeff Lieberman
Writer(s): Jeff Lieberman
Cast: Don Scardino, Patricia Pearcy, R.A. Dow, Joan Sullivan, Peter MacLean
Where To Watch: available August 27, 2024; pre-order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: In Fly Creek, Georgia, an ordinary day quickly becomes the most horrifying nightmare. Directed by Jeff Lieberman, this film takes a simple twist of nature and turns it into a spine-chilling survival saga. When a violent storm disrupts the town's power lines, it energizes the earth, awakening dormant earthworms that transform into monstrous entities with a voracious appetite for human flesh. This shocking turn of events tests the mettle of the townsfolk, plunging them into a battle for survival that taps into some of our most primal fears of invasion and loss of control.

This 1970s B-movie ratchets up the horror, proving size isn’t everything. The tiny, flesh-eating worms in SQUIRM bring a new meaning to terror, turning everyday life into a grotesque fight for survival. The uncensored release of this film lets viewers fully engage with its stark, raw horror, as Lieberman initially envisioned it. This appeals to longtime genre enthusiasts and attracts new audiences drawn by the allure of vintage cinematic frights.

SQUIRM diverges from the typical large-scale monster chaos synonymous with the era's creature features, focusing instead on a more insidious type of horror. In his early days, special effects maestro Rick Baker masterfully creates a palpable dread that permeates every scene. His groundbreaking practical effects make the worm attacks disturbingly vivid, especially in a harrowing scene on a boat where one man's nightmare becomes agonizingly real as worms invade his skin, leaving him grotesquely transformed.

Despite these strengths, the film does grapple with pacing issues. The first half lingers over a somewhat pedestrian love triangle that, while establishing character dynamics, the side plot dampens the narrative's momentum. The dialogue sometimes feels a little forced, and the plot occasionally stagnates, which might frustrate viewers eager for a more streamlined and intense horror experience. The characters, too, tend to fall into predictable roles, lacking the depth that might make them more relatable or memorable.

Yet, the movie leverages its modest budget to forge a genuinely unnerving atmosphere, turning what could be a campy premise into a gripping tale of survival. The close-ups of the menacing worms, coupled with their eerie shrieks, amplify the film's ability to unsettle. Lieberman balances the grim scenario with touches of dark humor, contrasting the film's serious undertone with the absurdity of its premise, which both disturbs and entertains.

Despite its flaws, SQUIRM is a memorable experience in the eco-horror and creature feature genres. It captivates not through sleek production or deep character studies but through its effective use of practical effects and ability to engage viewers with its unique and straightforward horror. Those willing to look past its dated elements and slower sections will find themselves absorbed by its distinctive approach to terror.

SQUIRM offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of 70s horror, ideal for both fans of the genre and newcomers to classic horror films. It goes beyond typical jump scares to offer a more profound, lingering fear, reminding us that sometimes minor things can be the most terrifying.

About Kino Cult:
While focusing mainly on horror and science fiction, Kino Cult will continue to embrace its trademark brand of "unapologetically weird" with such diverse genres as European erotica, grindhouse classics, and cinematic rediscoveries that defy categorization.

"Some of the most exciting rediscoveries are happening in the realm of cult cinema," said Kino Cult curators Frank Tarzi and Bret Wood, "These strange and twisted movies are so unique that we feel they deserve their own imprint within the Kino Lorber family of labels."

Product Extras:
NEW Audio Commentary by Film Critics/Authors Lee Gambin and John Harrison
Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Jeff Lieberman
Digging In – The Making of Squirm: Documentary with Jeff Lieberman, Actor Don Scardino, and Special Effects Artist Bill Milling (33:11)
Eureka: A Tour of Locations with Jeff Lieberman
TV and Radio Spots
Theatrical Trailer
Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
Optional English Subtitles

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER, KINO CULT]

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