Swarmed – Killer Bee (2005)

Directed by: Paul Ziller | 88 minutes | science fiction, horror | Actors: Michael Shanks, Carol Alt, Richard Chevolleau, Jonathan Malen, Maria Brooks, Balázs Koós, Tim Thomerson, Christopher Bondy, Ellen Dubin, Booth Savage, David Eisner, Samantha Weinstein, Scott Wickware, Lorry Ayers, Bill Lake, John Baktis, Claudio Masciulli, Mazin Elsadig

In various horror films it is insects or other flying or crawling (vermin) animals that mutate and attack humanity. Bats, wasps, bees, worms, piranhas, spiders, ants … it has all been reviewed by now. In addition, a striking number of these films show the necessary similarities with each other and to such an extent that they can almost be regarded as a separate category within the horror genre. This American made for television ‘Swarmed’ also falls under this because the characters and the developments that are discussed are now all too recognizable and predictable.

The seasoned horror fan in particular will have seen it often enough: in a laboratory scientific experiments are carried out on an animal species, something goes wrong that makes this animal species all the more dangerous in some way, a few specimens escape from the laboratory after which they make their first victims in the area, the danger they represent is gradually recognized and there is the ever-approaching threat as a future mass confrontation with the local villagers begins to take shape. And all this against the background of the so recognizable small and remote American village where the necessary victims can also be made relatively undisturbed for a longer period of time due to the many houses scattered in the countryside.

The different categories of characters in these kinds of films are also well known: the hero in the form of a scientist and/or police officer, the heroine in the form of a local or entomologist called in to help, a somewhat dull character who is more or less more comic relief should provide and the unruly local authorities. The actions of these characters are also standard: the hero and heroine, supported by the clown of the story, become aware of the danger and must do everything they can to avert the danger. Of course, they are thwarted by their superiors who simply dismiss or deny the danger for commercial reasons. Traditionally, the subsequent developments are also all too predictable, and in order to satisfy the viewer’s sense of justice, there should be no doubt about which characters, portrayed as unsympathetic, will fall prey to the ominous animal species. With regard to the above ingredients, ‘Swarmed’ is no exception. It is therefore not necessary to set too high expectations for this production in advance. The question that arises as a result is whether this film has enough to offer. And when you look at it, there are indeed several plus points in this production that positively distinguish it from similar films.

First of all, the doomsayers themselves, wasps in this case. Not so special in itself, despite the scientific explanation that this concerns the ‘… Paravespula Germanica… genetically altered yellow jackets… increased aggresion… venom is so toxic… one sting could kill you…’. What is striking is the way in which the wasps are portrayed in both the scenes in which the camera is right in their center and in the scenes in which various individual wasps attack their intended human prey. It is especially these last shots that seem successful, partly because things are portrayed from the point of view of the wasps themselves, but especially because the wasps, which are beautifully portrayed in close-up, are not only clearly calculating, but several times especially treacherous and almost sadistic. Furthermore, in particular the way in which the human victims are preyed upon by the wasps in terms of effective horror provides the desired effect. Also, although some things may be experienced as (too) melancholy, the necessary humor can also be recognized in some things. This is aided not only by the performance of the clown supporting the heroes in the story, but also by the actions of other characters in the story. A secretary who goes wasp hunting with a double-barreled shotgun in a courtroom? Swarms of wasps being attacked with flamethrowers in the village streets? Remarkably quiet streets, by the way, where the few passers-by in the not too distant background, strangely enough, pay no attention to this yet so striking event. Anyway, whether this kind of beauty flaws should be taken too seriously… setting too high standards with regard to these kinds of films would in any case lead to too many disappointments. In addition, these shortcomings, as well as the lack of the necessary logic regarding various other events in this story, can also be experienced with the necessary entertainment…

Furthermore, the aforementioned ingredients, however clichéd they may be, do indeed provide the necessary tension, scares, action scenes and the necessary compassion, in which the threat of the wasps, partly due to the nature of their successful appearances, is increasingly felt. Also very reasonable acting by the various actors who play both the ‘good’ and the ‘bad guys’ in this story. All in all ‘Swarmed’ isn’t a great production, but one that stands out slightly above similar films in the ‘killer bug’ category. If not too much is expected of it in terms of quality, it can be a successful introduction to this horror subgenre for the horror layman and for the connoisseur who has seen it all before, this production can offer just that little bit more that makes it worthwhile. .