Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
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48% of critics liked it
(142 reviews) -
36% of users liked it
(99,480 ratings)
In this throwback monster movie from producer Dean Devlin (Independence Day, Godzilla), David Arquette plays the son of a deceased mine owner, returning home to the economically depressed hamlet of Prosperity, AZ, after a long absence. His arrival coincides with a toxic waste accident in the local… More In this throwback monster movie from producer Dean Devlin (Independence Day, Godzilla), David Arquette plays the son of a deceased mine owner, returning home to the economically depressed hamlet of Prosperity, AZ, after a long absence. His arrival coincides with a toxic waste accident in the local water supply, the result of a barrel jostled loose from the back of a passing truck. Unfortunately, said water source abuts the region's least-popular attraction: an exotic spider farm. The farm's owner (Tom Noonan) becomes the first victim when the spiders, already possessed of keen predatory abilities, grow to the size of small automobiles. Laying in wait underground, they begin picking off the town's pet and ostrich population, and soon it's all the local sheriff (Kari Wuhrer) can do to raise the alarm before the siege begins. Eight Legged Freaks was produced under the working title "Arac Attack," but the politically conscious producers, concerned the title sounded too much like "Iraq Attack," went with Arquette's brainstorm as a safer alternative. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ellory Elkayem
- Written By
- Ellory Elkayem, Jesse Alexander
- Genres
- Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jul 17, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Lim, Village Voice
Despite nifty F/X, first-time director Ellory Elkayem's staging is altogether devoid of variation.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
[I]ts marginally amusing, but I'm giving it thumbs down.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
This is a poster movie, a mediocre tribute to films like Them!
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Reilly Capps, Boston Globe
As green-guts monster movies go, it's a beaut.
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Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
However many screaming teenagers it produces at the multiplexes, Eight Legged Freaks isn't good or funny enough to reinvigorate the style. It can't even maintain its own initial zing.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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David Arquette
as Chris McCormack
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Kari Wuhrer
as Sheriff Sam Parker
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Scott Terra
as Mike
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Scarlett Johansson
as Ashley
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Doug E. Doug
as Harlan Griffith
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Rick Overton
as Deputy Pete Willis
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Leon Rippy
as Wade
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Matt Czuchry
as Bret
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Jay Arlen Jones
as Leon
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Eileen Ryan
as Gladys
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Riley Smith
as Randy
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Matt Holwick
as Larry
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Jane Edith Wilson
as Emma
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Don Champlin
as Leroy
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Jack Moore
as Amos The Truck Driver
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David Waterman
as Norman
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The Bruiser
as Himself
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John Ennis
as Cop
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Roy Gaintner
as Floyd
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John Christopher Storey
as Mark
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Randi Klein
as Waitress
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Terey Summers
as Waitress
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Ryan C. Benson
as Cop








