All Hell Breaks Loose: A Chicago Nightmare Unleashes a Rampaging Alligator in this 1980 Creature Feature

Article Key Points

Alligator is an underrated gem of the creature feature genre, providing a fresh take on the concept of an evil creature wreaking havoc on a city.

Despite its modest budget, Alligator has gained a loyal fan base and received acclaim from critics for its unique and entertaining qualities.

Although some may deem the film cheesy, numerous viewers embrace the absurdity of Alligator and value its concept, even if they are not fond of how it is carried out.

For those seeking more impressive creature features, the 1980 classic film Alligator should not be overlooked. This genre, which has been around for decades, involves unimaginable evil creatures threatening unsuspecting populations. Surprisingly, the genre still manages to feel unique even in today's releases of creature features. Perhaps this is due to the scarcity of high-quality films in this genre nowadays. Depending on who you ask, Alligator may be considered an underrated gem of the genre.

Despite its limited budget, Alligator had great potential with audiences, to the extent that a tabletop game was even released alongside the film. While it never gained significant recognition in the public horror sphere, it did receive a sequel, albeit one that is relatively detached from the original. If there's one thing everyone should take away from Alligator, it is the importance of being cautious about what is flushed down the toilet.

What Is Alligator About?

Alligator is an unsurprising tale of a monstrous alligator wreaking havoc in the city of Chicago. It begins in the late sixties, when a father flushes his daughter's baby pet alligator down the toilet. The alligator finds its home in the city's sewers, feasting on whatever gets flushed into them. However, its diet is far from ordinary as it consumes animals subjected to growth experiments. This results in both the alligator and its insatiable hunger growing to immense proportions over time.

Not being satisfied with animal carcasses, the alligator directs its attention to the workers in the sewers, hunting them down and consuming them while they are still alive. Detective David Madison, who is facing various challenges and bad luck, is assigned to investigate the dismembered body parts, but his investigation takes an unexpected turn when his own police partner falls victim to the alligator. Despite his attempts to share the unbelievable story, no one pays attention to him.

The main reason for this lack of interest is a powerful man named Slade, who financed the experiments that led to the creation of the gigantic alligator. Slade practically controls the entire city of Chicago, which enables him to keep his involvement with the creature completely hidden from the public. Fortunately, a journalist manages to spread the truth, rallying the citizens of Chicago to join forces in the battle against the beast. However, defeating the colossal thirty-six-foot alligator will require much more than just the anger of a few determined individuals.

What Is Alligator's Rotten Tomatoes Score?

Although the general public may not have a favorable opinion of Alligator, the movie has received high praise from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics have given it an impressive 85% rating, highlighting its originality, ability to achieve great results on a low budget, and overall entertainment value. However, acclaimed film critic Roger Ebert had a completely different take on the film. In his scathing review on Rogerebert.com, he humorously suggests the idea of flushing the movie down the toilet to see if it would transform into something monstrous and terrifying.

It appears that the majority of viewers tend to favor the perspective of Roger Ebert over the critics at Rotten Tomatoes, with a 49% approval rating for Alligator. While many audience members appreciate the film's concept, they struggle to derive enjoyment from its execution. The film is widely regarded as overly cheesy, though this aspect is also praised by a considerable number of audience reviewers who find delight in Alligator's absurdity throughout its duration.

How Does Alligator End?

As the alligator creature runs amok in Chicago, it becomes evident that the public stands no chance against this ferocious beast. It wastes no time in launching a horrifying rampage, starting with an unfortunate police officer. In the final portion of the movie, the alligator proves to be an unstoppable force, mercilessly devouring anyone who dares to oppose it, regardless of their level of readiness. Even Colonel Brock, comically disconnected from reality, is determined to take down the creature, but predictably fails in his endeavor.

Slade, previously mentioned, receives his deserved fate when an alligator stumbles upon a grand party at his mansion. In a twisted act of retribution, both Slade and his numerous guests are mercilessly slaughtered by the alligator, avenging the tormenters who had transformed it into a monstrous creature. Even the mayor falls victim to the alligator's fury, though most viewers of the film are unlikely to empathize.

Ultimately, Detective Madison and Kendall successfully lure the alligator back into the sewers, putting an end to its reign of terror. Their straightforward plan involves detonating explosives, obliterating the alligator and freeing Chicago from the clutches of this scaly menace. Unfortunately, Alligator tantalizes audiences with a glimpse of a baby alligator, hinting that colossal reptiles may continue to haunt the city. With the day saved, Detective Madison and Kendall can return to their lives, forever altered by their battle against the alligator.

Editor's P/S

Alligator is a 1980 creature feature film that has gained a cult following over the years. The film tells the story of a giant alligator that terrorizes the city of Chicago. The alligator was originally a pet that was flushed down the toilet and grew to enormous proportions due to the growth hormones that were being flushed into the sewers.

The film is full of suspense and gore, and it features some truly iconic scenes, such as the alligator attacking a group of construction workers in a sewer tunnel. The film also features a great performance from Robert Forster as Detective David Madison, who is tasked with hunting down the alligator. Overall, Alligator is a fun and entertaining creature feature that is sure to please fans of the genre.