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Mimic

  • 1997
  • R
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
58K
YOUR RATING
Mimic (1997)
Trailer
Play trailer0:26
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Body HorrorMonster HorrorHorrorSci-Fi

Three years ago, entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease. Now, the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind.Three years ago, entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease. Now, the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind.Three years ago, entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease. Now, the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind.

  • Director
    • Guillermo del Toro
  • Writers
    • Donald A. Wollheim
    • Matthew Robbins
    • Guillermo del Toro
  • Stars
    • Mira Sorvino
    • Jeremy Northam
    • Alexander Goodwin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    58K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Guillermo del Toro
    • Writers
      • Donald A. Wollheim
      • Matthew Robbins
      • Guillermo del Toro
    • Stars
      • Mira Sorvino
      • Jeremy Northam
      • Alexander Goodwin
    • 216User reviews
    • 146Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos4

    Mimic
    Trailer 0:26
    Mimic
    Mimic: Directors Cut Blu-Ray
    Trailer 1:51
    Mimic: Directors Cut Blu-Ray
    Mimic: Directors Cut Blu-Ray
    Trailer 1:51
    Mimic: Directors Cut Blu-Ray
    Mimic
    Trailer 1:35
    Mimic
    How 'Pan's Labyrinth' Inspired 'Scary Stories'
    Clip 2:49
    How 'Pan's Labyrinth' Inspired 'Scary Stories'

    Photos160

    View Poster
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    + 154
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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Mira Sorvino
    Mira Sorvino
    • Susan Tyler
    Jeremy Northam
    Jeremy Northam
    • Dr. Peter Mann
    Alexander Goodwin
    Alexander Goodwin
    • Chuy
    Giancarlo Giannini
    Giancarlo Giannini
    • Manny
    Charles S. Dutton
    Charles S. Dutton
    • Leonard
    Josh Brolin
    Josh Brolin
    • Josh
    Alix Koromzay
    Alix Koromzay
    • Remy
    F. Murray Abraham
    F. Murray Abraham
    • Dr. Gates
    James Costa
    • Ricky
    Javon Barnwell
    • Davis
    Norman Reedus
    Norman Reedus
    • Jeremy
    Pak-Kwong Ho
    Pak-Kwong Ho
    • Preacher
    Glenn Bang
    Glenn Bang
    • Yang
    • (as Glen Bang)
    Margaret Ma
    • Chinese Woman
    Warna Fisher
    • Bag Lady
    Alan Argue
    • Skeletal Bum
    Charles Hayter
    • Homeless Man
    Julian Richings
    Julian Richings
    • Workman
    • Director
      • Guillermo del Toro
    • Writers
      • Donald A. Wollheim
      • Matthew Robbins
      • Guillermo del Toro
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews216

    6.058.2K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9Terr32

    An underrated movie in about every way.

    I realize that there have been LOTS of giant bug movies made, but there have been very few that have had a combination of great acting and superior special effects. This movie has both and throw in a lot of suspense. There are great moments in this movie that it seems passed most people by. No, it wasnt a big money maker(I honestly dont remember it hitting the theaters)but it is tremendous movie. Some didnt like the ending, but I did. I came to like these characters so much that I wanted them to survive. Thats a tribute to the actors for creating interesting characters. By comparison to other movies of this kind, I would say it belongs in the top five. If Aliens is counted as a 'bug' movie, I feel it is on top and I would put the 50's ant movie Them up there, too. Mimic belongs there, without question. It deserves so much more than the ratings Ive seen on here. Its a 9 out of 10 in my book.
    JOS87

    Freaky!

    Well I saw this movie at 2:00 am, so it really freaked me out. In the beginning there's a bunch of sick kids so Mira Sorvino invents a bug that, well does something, obviously- I didn't really get that. Then three years later those bugs grow into huge insects that fly and kill people. Mira Sorvin was pretty good actually and I must say that a lot of the performances were good, or at least I thought so. The idea is good, and the bugs look realistic, it's a pretty good movie actually, I enjoyed it, of course I couldn't get any sleep after it but I liked it. 4 outta 5
    6paulclaassen

    Stylish horror with great visuals.

    I love Guillermo del Toro's films for his unique vision and storytelling. 'Mimic' is one of his early feature films and already back then his trademark visionary style became evident. The film manages to create suspense from ordinary, everyday events. I enjoyed the husband and wife team Dr Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino) and Dr Peter Mann (Jeremy Northam). The sincere, strong bond between them made me root for them even more.

    The Underground scenes with the cast being trapped inside a stationary train and being attacked by giant roaches were by far the film's best scenes. Charles S. Dutton had a small role, but delivered! There are a few genuinely disturbing scenes as the giant roaches attack young children. The little boy constantly clapping spoons was a bit annoying, though, although I understand the relevance of this character. The film's visual effects are very good.

    The ending leaves the door wide open for a sequel. (Just a pity the original characters and cast did not reprise their roles in the sequel).
    7Theo Robertson

    Could Have Been A Whole Lot Worse

    The idea of a film featuring genetically modified humanoid insects stalking the streets of New York makes me believe it would have a long shelf life - It`d spend a long time on a shelf waiting for a distributor , but MIMIC was far better than I expected . Director Guillermo Del Toro rightly concentrates on mood and atmosphere and also deserves a mention for making sure the cast didn`t camp the film up because it`s the sort of film that`s difficult for actors to believe in but everyone on screen takes it absolutely seriously . The screenwriters also deserve some praise for taking a ludicurous premise ( Remember we`re talking humanoid insects here ) and writing a story that makes you forget you`re watching something laughably far fetched . We also get to learn that soldier insects have to be killed stone dead in order to stop fighting and that insects take their pray to an underground lair to be eaten so the audience learns something about both insects and how to telegraph a script . My only criticism about the screenplay is that it does feel rather like an ALIENS type movie towards the end but that`s a very minor criticism .

    So I fairly enjoyed MIMIC . It`s not as good as QUATERMASS AND THE PIT which is the greatest film to have the underground transport system as its setting but it`s a whole lot better than other subway or bug movies
    8Space_Mafune

    One of the Best SF/Horror Hybrids of the 90s

    With a continuous build-up of suspense and terror, watching this film you never really know whether or not any of the leading protagonists will make it out alive. The science fiction story line is almost convincing enough to make parts of the plot seem possible. F. Murray Abraham has an outstanding guest role and gets to deliver the best lines in the film. Despite criticism directed towards her, I felt Mira Sorvino was also quite good and believable in her role. The direction of Guillermo Del Toro is tight and well-paced. The only real criticism I have is there are a few too many convenient chance meetings and a few too many instances of people being in the right (or wrong) place at the right time. Also I felt the movie was just a little too quick in unveiling its mystery.

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    Related interests

    Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)
    Body Horror
    Bill Skarsgård in It (2017)
    Monster Horror
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Guillermo del Toro disowned the film after constant clashes with Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein. The latter complained that early footage of the film wasn't scary enough, and would frequently visit the set to make unreasonable demands about what should be shot, deviating away from the script. When that did not solve the matter, Weinstein threatened to fire del Toro and replace him with another director. However, del Toro was saved by the intervention of Mira Sorvino, who was a recent Oscar winner for Mighty Aphrodite (1995) (produced by Weinstein's company Miramax). She threatened to quit the film if del Toro's vision wasn't respected, and she received support from her then-boyfriend Quentin Tarantino, who has made several films for Miramax. The Weinsteins finally agreed to let del Toro stay on, but they oversaw the final cut of the film. Since then, del Toro has never worked with the Weinsteins again, but he made his peace with the film after creating a Director's Cut that was closer to his vision.
    • Goofs
      When Susan goes into the abandoned subway office looking for Manny, she calls out "Chuy?" and not "Manny?" Chuy is hiding in the office, but at that point in the film she doesn't know it yet; she has no reason to expect to encounter Chuy and no reason to call his name. In fact, as far as we know, she shouldn't even know his name.
    • Quotes

      Peter Mann: Leonard, have you ever seen anything like this before?

      Leonard: Why you asking me if I've seen some shit like this before? Do I look like I've seen some shit like this before? Hell, no I a'int never seen no shit like this before. Who the fuck would wanna climb up one of these walls and hang one of these? Musta been a big elephant-ass motherfucker.

    • Alternate versions
      Guillermo del Toro released a director's cut in 2011. It runs at 112 minutes.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Blood Pact: Making of Blade II (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Give Me Central 209
      By Robert Ellen

      Used with permission by Molique Music

      c/o Warner Chappell Music Canada

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    FAQ25

    • How long is Mimic?Powered by Alexa
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    • Is 'Mimic' based on a book?
    • Is Strickler's disease real?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 22, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • Judus
    • Filming locations
      • Lower Bay Station, Toronto, Ontario, Canada(subway station)
    • Production companies
      • Dimension Films
      • Baltimore Pictures
      • Miramax
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,480,490
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,818,208
      • Aug 24, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $25,480,803
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 45m(105 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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