Ben
Ben

Ben

1972Movie94 minEnglish

A lonely boy becomes good friends with Ben, a rat. This rat is also the leader of a pack of vicious killer rats, killing lots of people.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes33%
Google Users62%
Director: Phil KarlsonGenres: Horror, Thriller

Plot Summary

A lonely young boy named Danny befriends Ben, a highly intelligent and surprisingly empathetic rat. Their bond grows as Danny discovers Ben is the leader of a large pack of rats that have developed unusual intelligence and a growing resentment towards humans. As the rats begin to retaliate against the town for perceived mistreatment, Danny finds himself caught between his loyalty to Ben and the escalating danger.

Critical Reception

Ben is a cult classic horror film, often remembered for its unique premise of intelligent, vengeful rats and its surprisingly tender portrayal of the boy-rat relationship. While critically panned upon release for its low budget and somewhat simplistic plot, it has gained a devoted following over the years for its campy charm and the genuinely unsettling nature of its rodent antagonists.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film is noted for its unusual premise of sentient, organized rats.
  • Lee Montgomery's performance as the lonely Danny is a highlight.
  • The rat attacks, while low-budget, are effectively creepy for some viewers.

Google audience: Audiences often find the film to be a cheesy but enjoyable creature feature, appreciating the unique concept and the surprisingly touching bond between the boy and the rat, though some criticize the dated special effects.

Fun Fact

The film is a sequel to the 1971 film 'Willard', which also featured a protagonist who bonds with rats.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I suppose if you are going to make an horror movie, then it’s hard to beat rats as the culprits. The young, imaginative, “Danny” (Lee Montgomery) is a bit of a gentle loner who makes friends with a rat he names “Ben”. He tells his sister al...