Sting is a 2024 horror film directed by Kiah Roache-Turner, and the cast includes Ryan Corr, Alyla Browne, Penelope Mitchell, Robyn Nevin, Noni Hazelhurst, Silvia Colloca, Danny Kim, and Jermaine Fowler.
In a snowy New York apartment complex, a small meteorite crashes through a window, revealing itself to be an egg that hatches into a clever spider.
Charlotte, a 12-year-old girl fascinated by her stepfather's graphic novel work, discovers and befriends the spider, keeping it hidden from everyone else in the building.
But soon, the spider starts causing, shall we say, a bit of chaos.
Sting presents a promising concept that could have delivered plenty of enjoyable moments playing on peoples arachnophobia fears, but, it falls slightly short as a spider-themed story and lacks any real impact.
The film has a mix of easy and difficult elements to appreciate about it.
At its heart, it's a family drama centered around Charlotte and her strained relationship with her stepdad, echoing Spielbergian themes. Charlotte feels neglected and fears her stepdad might leave, especially with the arrival of her baby brother.
The characters in the movie are all relatable as well, and the family dynamics feel authentic, especially given the tense situation they're facing, with Charlotte in particular being particularly intriguing to watch as she forms a bond with Sting.
There are also some interesting side characters like the exterminator and the elderly residents of the building.
Sting's appearance is also genuinely creepy, especially if you're not fond of spiders, and its detailed design can make you feel like there's a bug crawling on you.
But the biggest issue with the film is that it struggles to find its identity within the horror genre, as it oscillates between intentional B-grade campiness and a more serious, atmospheric approach, resulting in a lot of inconsistency.
Some horror moments feel gratuitous, lacking purpose beyond shock value, while others that are crucial for understanding the creature's behavior, are glossed over.
This uncertainty extends to Charlotte's characterization as well.
Despite being a typical preteen, she's often framed in a sinister light, creating confusion about her role in the story, and this visual inconsistency undermines our empathy for her character until the film abruptly shifts focus, expecting us to root for her.
Despite its flaws, Sting offers a little enjoyable creature-feature escapism, featuring some impressive practical effects as well.
The core family drama adds depth to it all, although some might argue it also hinders it too, which I get.
While the movie struggles to find its footing, it still provides some entertainment, particularly for fans of creature features, but it could have been a lot more.
I would rate this film 60% on my horror movie nerd-o-meter.
[Sting on IMDB] [Where to watch Sting]
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