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The Hatching (2014)

2014 • 1h 30m • Horror, Comedy • R
On October 4, 2026
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tmdb63938527 on The Hatching

5/10 · Aug 17, 2018

The film's promotional tagline suggested it would have a similar impact to "Jaws" on beach movies, but that title actually belongs to *American Werewolf in London*. Nevertheless, this quirky British comedy-horror manages to function, albeit with some noticeable shortcomings. Production wrapped up around late 2013 and early 2014, yet it didn't reach audiences for nearly three years. First-time feature director Michael Anderson had previously worked on *American Werewolf* as a clapper loader and also contributed to other films in the eighties and nineties, even serving as a cinematographer on several projects. The cast includes Potts (*Primeval*, *Freight*), who is perhaps better known for voice acting than onscreen roles, and Turgoose (*This Is England*, *Eden Lake*), whose filmography isn’t exactly extensive. The script by Squire provides enough wit to keep things moving, benefiting from the recent revival of this subgenre spurred by films like *Shaun of the Dead*. The story centers on Tim Webber (played adequately by Potts), who as a youth sneaks out of boarding school to steal crocodile eggs from the zoo. Predictably, things go wrong, and Tim takes responsibility for the incident. Fifteen years later, he returns home after his father's death, marking the film’s true beginning. Tim soon discovers something sinister lurking in the moors and canals, quietly eliminating local Somerset villagers. Can Tim atone for his past actions? Will he become another victim in this quiet village? Does it even matter? Considering the amount of low-quality movies released each year, especially on VOD and cable, this one is probably worth checking out, particularly with its unusual serial killer subplot. It’s not a sensible film; it's a mix of monster movie, serial killer story, comedy, and horror. The odd plot and characters contribute to the film’s charm. I don't know if my bias as a fan of British films plays into my enjoyment, but the humor certainly resonates with me more than it might with others. The script is quite good, balancing comedic elements with more serious moments, though some additional character development or insight into their motivations beyond the protagonist’s would have been welcome. The storyline is admittedly silly, which only adds to its appeal—when does a creature feature ever boast an award-winning plot? It borrows ideas from films like *Lake Placid* and *Alligator*, but these influences keep things fresh enough to remain entertaining. On the downside, most of the acting isn't particularly impressive, the special effects are unremarkable, and the film has some slow stretches. Perhaps its biggest flaw is the limited amount of creature action. However, when considering the screen time a monster typically gets in this type of movie, it’s not as low as one might think. Given that the rumored budget was around one million pounds, I believe they made good use of the funds. Ultimately, there are far worse ways to spend ninety minutes, and fans of British horror-comedy will likely find something to appreciate.

Source on TMDB