Them
An artist grows hateful of commercial demands on his questionable talents when his friend and artist commits suicide. He puts the blame for his friend's death on an art critic and a shady art dealer. He is able to take out his frustrations on the pretentious critic at a party. When an elderly man moves into the boarding house, he brings a machine he invented that can make people realize their subconscious dreams...
Insights
Plot Summary
When a young girl is found in a catatonic state with an ant's sting on her neck, authorities in Los Angeles begin to investigate a series of bizarre occurrences. They soon discover that giant, mutated ants, growing to monstrous proportions due to atomic radiation, are responsible. A team of scientists, led by Dr. Medford, races against time to find the ants' nest and eradicate them before they conquer the city.
Critical Reception
Them! is widely regarded as one of the best science fiction films of the 1950s, praised for its suspenseful storytelling, effective special effects for its time, and its commentary on Cold War anxieties. While some critics noted its B-movie roots, its tight pacing and memorable giant ants have cemented its status as a classic.
What Reviewers Say
- A thrilling and suspenseful giant insect film that effectively blends sci-fi elements with horror.
- Praised for its impressive special effects and its prescient exploration of atomic age fears.
- Its taut narrative and iconic creature design make it a standout in the genre.
Google audience: Audiences generally praise 'Them!' for its classic monster movie thrills, effective suspense, and groundbreaking special effects that still hold up. Many appreciate its engaging plot and the chilling depiction of giant ants.
Fun Fact
The filmmakers used a combination of large ant models, stop-motion animation, and actual ants (sped up on film) to create the giant ants, a groundbreaking technique for the era.
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