Unquiet
Things

After watching A Stir of Echoes, I found myself wondering what other gems from the late ’90s horror scene I might have missed. I was particularly interested in films that weren’t part of major franchises or typical slasher fare. When my friend Maika recommended Mimic, I realized I only knew of it in passing. To be honest, I’d always assumed it was some kind of Species knockoff (another film I’ve yet to see). But when Maika also mentioned it was an early Guillermo del Toro film, my interest was immediately piqued.

Set in the grimy shadows of New York City, Mimic tells the story of genetically engineered insects created to combat a deadly disease that’s been decimating the city’s children. When the “Judas” breed seemingly accomplishes its mission and dies off, the city breathes a sigh of relief. But three years later, something far more terrifying emerges from the subway tunnels.

I can’t help but to think that this kind of premise definitely takes on a different significance now compared to how it might have been received in 1997. In light of COVID, a story about a pandemic-averting plan gone awry resonates in ways the filmmakers couldn’t have anticipated.

Mira Sorvino is Dr. Susan Tyler, the entomologist behind the Judas breed, who finds herself way out of her depth when her creations start causing havoc. As the body count rises and the true nature of the evolved insects is revealed, Susan teams up with her CDC officer husband, Dr. Peter Mann to stop the threat before it overtakes the city.

Jeremy Northam as Dr. Peter Mann: whenever he was on screen, I couldn’t shake the feeling I was watching David Duchovny. The physical resemblance is uncanny – same intense stare, same chiseled features. It’s purely superficial; Northam’s Dr. Mann is his own character, distinct from Duchovny’s spooky Mulder in personality and approach. But that visual similarity kept throwing me for a loop, making me half-expect some paranormal explanation for the insect invasion. It added a constant little jolt of “Is that… no, wait” to the viewing experience that oddly enhanced the film’s late ’90s sci-fi horror atmosphere.

Josh Brolin shows up looking impossibly young, Charles S. Dutton brings some much-needed grounding to the wilder moments, and the treasure that is F. Murray Abraham steals every scene he’s in. Also: a surprise Norman Reedus appearance!

Even though this was early in del Toro’s Hollywood career, you can see his style everywhere. The way he shoots the subway tunnels, turning them into a dank, labyrinthine underworld. The strangely awe-inspiring design of the monsters. That blend of horror and empathy that’s become his trademark. His ability to find beauty in the monstrous and humanity in the grotesque.

I don’t know enough about practical effects vs. CGI to offer any commentary, but I can say that the creatures in Mimic have a tangible presence that’s genuinely unsettling. Whether it’s practical effects, early CGI, or a mix of both, the end result is a bunch of creepy bugs with uncanny humanoid faces that were intensely disturbing.

Mimic balanced creature feature thrills with bigger ideas–and I was not expecting that. It’s not just about godawful big insects chasing people through tunnels. The film explores questions about evolution, human interference in nature, and the unintended consequences of playing God. These themes add a welcome depth to what could have been just another gross bug movie. Maybe not groundbreaking, but these elements give us something to ponder beyond the immediate juicy, visceral thrills of the horror sequences.

Watching Mimic for the first time in 2024, I was struck by how well it holds up. Obviously, there are moments that clearly date the film, but the core of it – the atmosphere, the tension, the ideas – all still works. It’s made me curious to revisit more of del Toro’s early work. I actually have a date to watch Cronos at the end of the month with my sister! (Edit: whoops, I got confused– it’s actually Manos: The Hands of Fate that we’ll be watching. Womp womp.)

Also…maybe I still need to watch Species?

Day Eighteen of 31 Days Of Horror in years past: 2023 // 2022 // 2021

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