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 Slugs
(1988) on IMDb

Slugs (1988) Review: A Gruesome Tale of Killer Gastropods

No-one is safe!

Slugs
This is a poster for Slugs (1988 film). The poster art copyright is believed to belong to the distributor of the film, the publisher of the film or the graphic artist.

Slugs is a low-budget horror movie released in 1988, directed by Juan Piquer Simón. The film follows the residents of a small American town who become victims of a deadly infestation of killer slugs. The premise may sound silly, but this movie is anything but a joke. Slugs is a gory, suspenseful, and well-crafted horror movie that will leave viewers squirming in their seats.

The film starts with a gruesome scene that sets the tone for what’s to come. A man gardening in his backyard is attacked by a group of slugs, and their slimy, wriggling bodies slowly devour him alive. From there, the plot follows Mike Brady (Michael Garfield), a health inspector who discovers that the town’s water supply is contaminated with toxic waste, which has mutated the slugs into deadly predators. Together with a team of scientists, he races against time to stop the infestation before the entire town is devoured.

The practical effects used to create the slugs are surprisingly convincing, with close-up shots of their slimy, wriggling bodies and sharp-toothed mouths adding to the overall horror. The film also features some impressive death scenes, with the slugs killing their victims in various gruesome ways. From bursting out of a person’s mouth to devouring them from the inside out, the film does not hold back on the gore.

One of the strengths of the movie is its pacing. The film moves quickly from one death scene to the next, with little time for the audience to catch their breath. The tension is kept high throughout, and viewers will find themselves on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next gruesome attack. The film also manages to balance the horror with some humor, with a few cheesy one-liners and a subplot involving an adulterous couple adding some levity to the proceedings.

The acting is serviceable, with Michael Garfield doing a decent job as the protagonist Mike Brady. The supporting cast is hit-or-miss, with some actors delivering wooden performances while others ham it up in the best way possible. However, the acting is not the main draw of this film. The star of the show is the slugs themselves, and the film delivers on that front in spades.

Overall, its a must-watch for fans of horror movies, particularly those who enjoy creature features. While it may not be a masterpiece of cinema, the film delivers on its promise of killer slugs and plenty of gore. So grab a bowl of popcorn and get ready to squirm in your seat as these slimy creatures take over a small American town.

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