Spider Baby
Spider Baby

Movie spotlight

Spider Baby

1967
Movie
84 min
English

In a dilapidated rural mansion, the last generation of the degenerate, inbred Merrye family lives with the inherited curse of a disease that causes them to mentally regress from the age of 10 or so on as they physically develop. The family chauffeur looks out for them and covers up their indiscretions. Trouble comes when greedy distant relatives and their lawyer arrive to dispossess the family of its home.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Google Users88%
Director: Jack HillGenres: Horror, Comedy, Crime

Plot Summary

The Carlton family, suffering from a hereditary degenerative disease known as 'Spider Syndrome,' lives in isolation at their decaying mansion. As the syndrome progresses, they descend into primitive, often violent behavior. When distant relatives arrive to claim their inheritance, they unwittingly stumble into the eccentric and dangerous world of the Carlton siblings, leading to a series of bizarre and deadly encounters.

Critical Reception

Spider Baby is a cult classic, celebrated for its unique blend of horror, dark comedy, and sheer audacity. While initially controversial and facing distribution issues, it has garnered a significant following over the years for its surreal atmosphere, memorable performances, and unconventional approach to horror filmmaking. Critics often praise its distinctive style and campy charm.

What Reviewers Say

  • A bizarre and darkly humorous cult classic with a unique, surreal atmosphere.

  • Praised for its audacious premise and memorable, eccentric performances.

  • Appreciated for its campy charm and unconventional take on the horror genre.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciate Spider Baby for its sheer strangeness and cult appeal, often highlighting its humor and the unique, unforgettable performances, particularly from Sid Haig. Some find it intentionally off-putting or overly strange, but the majority recognize its distinctive cult status and B-movie charm.

Fun Fact

The distinctive theme song, "Spider Baby Song," was written and performed by the film's producer, David L. Harvey, and the song's unusual lyrics and melody have become as iconic as the film itself.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

Community Critic Reviews

No critic reviews have been posted yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

**_“It’s a madhouse, a madhouse!”_** This was shot at the end of summer, 1964, but not released until over three years later due to the producers going bankrupt. Its full title is “Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told,” which is r...

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Picture a ramshackle house (like the one the "Waltons" lived in) and then imagine it populated by two sisters and a brother who progress ok until their early teens, then they start to regress - with varying degrees of maniacal behaviour. Is...

rolanddoobie

rolanddoobie

A fun romp. This movie feels like it is wedged between old school horror, and more recent exploitation films. Stylistically, it feels 50s, yet subject matter is more 70s exploitation. I liked it, but I will watch a lot of garbage. Give it a...

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this title yet.