Sting (Mini-Review)

Sting is a horror movie that revolves around a spider. One snowy night in New York, a small rock breaks a window. A spider then hatches from it. Ignorant of its origins, a young girl takes it in as her pet and names it Sting. But things soon grow out of control as Sting quickly becomes larger and goes on a murderous rampage in the apartment building. Sting was released in 2024. It was directed by Kiah Roache-Turner. It stars Alyla Browne, Penelope Mitchell, Ryan Corr, and Jermaine Fowler.

There are two mid-credit scenes that show what happened to a few characters after the movie ended.

I am arachnophobia but it seems I'm destined to be drawn towards spider movies. I think it's due to me wanting horror movies that make me feel genuine fear. So what better way to do that than with a movie about a giant killer spider? Even if the movie sucks, I will feel that adrenaline rush. So when I saw a trailer for this movie I knew I would have to see it.

While this movie is ripe with pure terror, there are also quiet moments so you don't get overwhelmed. Well...too overwhelmed. Charlotte doesn't have an easy family situation. Her father abandoned both her and her mother. Though she does adore Ethan, the step-dad, and even took up drawing because of him. She isn't aware of the full lengths her father went to abandon her until near the end of the movie. Making everyone's problems even worse, beside the giant spider, is a baby.

The extraterrestrial origins of the spider are never delved into. The unique things Sting can do are delved into. Luckily Charlotte, our protagonist, remembers the spider's mimicking abilities. I've been jaded in the past so I was fully expecting her to run towards the spider. Luckily that never happened and she had the good sense to warn people about that trick. The other big thing about Sting is her ability to grow in a short amount of time. This would be useful for traveling the stars as it would ensure no resources were wasted. Not that I think these spiders have a civilization like ours or anything.

The effects for the spider were terrifying. Everything that makes a spider scary to me was made ten times worse. Honestly, the most calming thing about it was the ability to mimic. So it can understand sounds just well enough to make people come running towards their death. At least I don't have to look at it! The death scenes are gory. Sting doesn't eat people and animals from the outside, after all.

I would highly recommend Sting to those seeking a truly terrifying horror movie.