Humanoids from the Deep (Monster) (1980)

56% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(2,326 ratings)

This gory, scary low-budget shocker from the Roger Corman stable concerns the battle over a salmon cannery in a Pacific Northwest town. Genetically treated salmon escape the plant and are eaten by coelacanths, who mutate into humanoid monsters with giant craniums and sharp claws. The creatures begin… More This gory, scary low-budget shocker from the Roger Corman stable concerns the battle over a salmon cannery in a Pacific Northwest town. Genetically treated salmon escape the plant and are eaten by coelacanths, who mutate into humanoid monsters with giant craniums and sharp claws. The creatures begin attacking teen couples, killing the boys and mating with the girls (in some pretty graphic monster-rape scenes). Eventually, a bunch of them create total pandemonium at the annual salmon festival. Barbara Peeters directs with flair, Rob Bottin's effects are nauseatingly effective, and the cast is good, especially Vic Morrow as a racist fisherman and Doug McClure as the stalwart hero. An uncompromising shockfest with enough gratuitous blood and nudity to keep fans happy, the film features an Alien-inspired shock ending which still makes viewers jump today. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: Barbara Peters (II), Jimmy T. Murakami
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror

In Theaters: Jul 3, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Aug 28, 2001

Critic Reviews

R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
It's easily the best film I've ever seen about an evil woman-raping sea monster.
Scott Weinberg, FEARnet
Even on the Corman scale of quality, Humanoids is a decidedly lesser effort -- but that's not to say you won't have some fun.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Takes the theme of the Julie Adams-lusting 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' to an extreme that the censors would not have allowed in the 1950s...
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
You really need to go back and see how it was done back in the day ... with reckless abandon and lots of splattery fun in mind
Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
What's not to love about seedy sea monsters, gratuitous making out, slimy goo, splashing blood, fiery explosions, humor and horror?
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
An unintentionally hilarious fusing of mutated salmon and full frontal nudity
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
I think humanoids from the deep made this picture, too
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Corman mini-classic featuring boob-happy sea monsters.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

An okay monster movie, but really it's just an updated version of some 50s B-movies. It's not too bad, but it's not too good either.
Ken S

Chalk full of death nudity and mayhem!
Steve K

Guys in rubber suits terrorize beachgoers and rape young women. Doug McClure fights on stoically. Silly, watchable Corman cheapy.
Daniel P

Sleazy and unpleasant b-picture made oddly enjoyable due to over-earnest or overly hammy performances and some truly shocking editing. One for curiosity value but little else.