Movie review: ‘Crawlers’ takes viewers on creepy, campy journey full of poisonous spiders

The horror-thriller “Crawlers,” helmed by Ángel Gómez Hernández, centers on Serena (Matilda Lutz), a disregarded building manager at the Paradiso Palms apartment complex. Her already challenging job takes a terrifying twist following a resident’s demise due to an enigmatic spider infestation.

The viral outbreak prompts authorities to quarantine the entire building, confining its residents with an escalating population of poisonous spiders. With nowhere else to go, Serena must overcome her fears and find a way to save the tenants.

By transforming a typical apartment building into a claustrophobic environment with danger lurking behind the walls, the movie makes effective use of its setting throughout its entirety. A number of the film’s most unsettling moments are also provided by the spiders, particularly through the film’s graphic creature effects, which will cause viewers who are easily disgusted to cringe.

Even though “Crawlers” has a lot of suspenseful scenes, it doesn’t always provide the kind of horror that will genuinely terrify viewers. Predictable plotlines overshadow its attempts to build suspense, and some of the dialogue and character interactions could have been improved.

The story also focuses on the spiders as its main attraction, leaving little room for its human characters to stand out. Although Serena’s journey to overcome her fears adds a personal touch to the story, it could have been developed further.

“Crawlers” has enough disturbing moments to keep regular viewers interested, causing arachnophobes and claustrophobics to scream, hold their breath, and call a friend to discuss.

It may not be the film that contains the most terrifying scenes that hardcore horror fans will remember for days, but it is campy enough to be watched in cinemas.

“Crawlers” is part of Sine Sindak: The Seventh Cycle.