After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet and fight for her family’s survival when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.
“Sting” is a refreshing take on the horror thriller genre that will keep you captivated from start to finish. Despite its familiar premise, writer/director Kiah Roache-Turner injects new life into the “creepy creature in the vents” trope, resulting in a film that is not only well-executed but genuinely exceptional.
The story unfolds during a snowstorm that traps a young girl named Charlotte (Alyla Browne), her mother Heather (Penelope Mitchell), stepfather Ethan (Ryan Corr), and baby brother in their Brooklyn apartment. Charlotte’s curiosity leads her to discover an unusual black spider, which she decides to keep as a pet and names Sting. As the hours pass, neighbors mysteriously disappear, and Charlotte soon realizes that her family is next on the menu. With Sting growing at an alarming rate and her loved ones vanishing, Charlotte must find the courage to rescue them.
“Sting” is a film that wears its influences proudly, drawing inspiration from classics like “The Evil Dead,” “Arachnophobia,” “Alien,” “Aliens,” and the most recent “Evil Dead Rise.” However, Roache-Turner does not simply borrow ideas; instead, he pays homage by incorporating the best elements of those films and crafting something entirely new and exciting. At its core, “Sting” is a story about the underdog rising to the challenge, which makes it so compelling.
What sets “Sting” apart from the average horror movie is the genuine emotional investment it fosters in the characters. Charlotte’s struggles with her stepfather and baby brother, her feelings of abandonment—all of it feels profoundly real. Alyla Browne delivers a phenomenal performance as Charlotte, bringing depth and authenticity to the character, making her journey deeply relatable. As the story takes a dark turn, the stakes feel truly high.
The film’s climax is a nod to “Aliens,” with Charlotte arming herself with a Nerf gun filled with mothball water (the only substance that can harm Sting) and preparing for battle. Roache-Turner’s camerawork is reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s style in the “Evil Dead” series, employing Dutch angles and jarring zooms to build tension.
If you seek a horror movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, “Sting” is a must-see. However, viewers with arachnophobia may wish to exercise caution, as the special effects are so realistic that the spider appears terrifyingly lifelike, even when the viewer knows it is CGI.
In short, “Sting” is one of the best horror thrillers of recent years. It is a masterclass in building tension, a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics, and a loving tribute to the genre. Horror fans will not want to miss this film.
Now available on Digital and on Blu-ray™ and DVD July 30th
