Scarlett Johansson Battles Giant Spiders in this 2002 Creature Feature

Article Key Points

Eight Legged Freaks is a horror comedy about a small town that is attacked by giant mutant spiders due to exposure to toxic waste.

Despite not being a commercial success and receiving negative reviews from critics, the movie possesses a delightful and entertaining essence that resonates with certain fans. Starring David Arquette, it also showcases an early talent from Scarlett Johansson, who went on to become a prominent figure in Hollywood.

Scarlett Johansson has had a varied and diverse film career, appearing in a range of genres such as dramas like Marriage Story and Lost in Translation, as well as sci-fi hits like Under The Skin and Her. Although she is most well-known for her role as Natasha Romanov, the Black Widow, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Johansson showcased her talent earlier on by fighting against giant arachnids in the lesser-known 2002 horror comedy, Eight Legged Freaks. This film, which also starred David Arquette and Kari Wuhrer, may not have achieved great success at the box office or among critics, but it possesses an undeniable charm and offers an early glimpse into the career of one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

What is Eight Legged Freaks about?

In Eight Legged Freaks, a horror comedy, a small American mining town finds itself under attack from a group of spiders that have been exposed to mutagenic toxic waste. As a result of this exposure, the spiders grow to an enormous size. The catalyst for this terrifying situation occurs when a truck driver, transporting a large amount of chemicals, narrowly avoids hitting a rabbit on the road. In this near miss, a barrel of toxic waste is jolted off the truck and ends up landing in a pond. Unfortunately, crickets feed on the toxic waste and are subsequently collected by Josh, an exotic spider farmer. This sets in motion a chain of events that leads to the town being overrun by giant spiders.

What is Eight Legged Freak's Rotten Tomatoes score?

Josh feeds a group of infected crickets to his collection of spiders. Unfortunately, he is bitten by an escaped tarantula and accidentally jostles a large spider cage, setting the terrifying spiders free. This results in a deadly encounter for Josh as he becomes the spiders' prey. In an alarming turn of events, the spiders grow to an enormous size due to the toxins present in the crickets they were fed. The gigantic spiders now embark on a path towards the serene town of Prosperity. With the responsibility falling on Chris McCormick, the mine proprietor, it is up to him to save the town from the relentless spider attack.

With a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 144 reviews, Eight Legged Freaks receives mixed reviews. Critics suggest that while the first half shows promise, the film lacks original ideas in the second half. Although it may not have achieved a certified fresh rating, this lesser-known movie manages to secure a decent score. Comparatively, it may not have received the same level of recognition as Arachnophobia. Starring David Arquette, who was a well-established name at the time following the success of the Scream movies, this film served as his next major project after the Scream trilogy concluded. Unfortunately, the film's underperformance at the box office contributed to a downturn in Arquette's career until he reprised his role as Dewey Riley in Scream 5 in 2022.

Eight Legged Freaks received a 33% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 100,000 ratings, making it a decent return. Many fans have expressed that it was an enjoyable film. Despite the disappointment of its theatrical release, there were rumors of a sequel in development. In the past, movies like this typically found success when released on DVD.

How does Eight Legged Freaks end?

A radio broadcast warns people about the presence of giant spiders, causing panic as many fall victim to them. Sam urges everyone to evacuate to the mall and fortify themselves inside. Amidst the spider attacks, Chris desperately reaches out to the army for assistance.

Later, Chris ventures into the mines in search of Gladys and discovers not only her but also the gold that his father had always claimed to have found. Their encounter takes an unexpected turn when they come face to face with a massive spider named Consuela. Using perfume as a distraction, they manage to escape on a motorbike just in the nick of time.

To eliminate the threat, Chris decides to detonate the mines, inadvertently causing the mall and Consuela, along with her legion of spiders, to be destroyed in the process. The police arrive at the scene and the survivors gather together. Meanwhile, the local radio host, Harlan, delivers a report revealing that the town has covered up the entire incident. Nevertheless, they have allowed him to continue his broadcasts and he announces Chris's decision to reopen the mine. As Harlan concludes, his mischievous smile reveals golden teeth, hinting at another intriguing story to come.

Editor's P/S

"Eight Legged Freaks," a 2002 creature feature starring Scarlett Johansson, offers a delightful blend of horror and comedy. While it may not have achieved mainstream success or critical acclaim, the film possesses a certain charm that resonates with fans.

Johansson, who has since become a prominent figure in Hollywood, showcases her early talent in this movie, battling against giant mutant spiders. Despite its flaws, "Eight Legged Freaks" provides an entertaining and enjoyable experience, making it a hidden gem for those seeking a thrilling creature feature.