Mimic

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Mimic

R

Released Aug 22, 1997

1h 45m

Horror

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

37%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When a cockroach-spread plague threatens to decimate the child population of New York City, evolutionary biologist Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino) and her research associates rig up a species of "Judas" bugs and introduce them into the environment, where they will mimic the diseased roaches and infiltrate their grubby habitats. So far so good ... until the bugs keep on evolving and learn to mimic their next prey -- humans.

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Critics Consensus

Mimic finds director Guillermo del Toro struggling to inject his unique sensibilities into a studio picture - and delivering just enough genre thrills to recommend.

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Carol Buckland

CNN.com

Mimic will have entomophobes in the audience yearning to bug out, and scare-seekers squirming in their seats.

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit News

Rated: 1/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Jack Walters

Loud and Clear Reviews

"Guillermo del Toro’s Mimic (1997) uses repulsive practical effects and stylish filmmaking to bring a chilling tale of killer insects to life."

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 15, 2025

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

It may be a compromised vision, but Guillermo del Toro injects enough class into this killer cockroach thriller to make up for the more lackluster elements.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 30, 2024

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

You can see the Weinsteins' negative interference at nearly every narrative turn, but del Toro's love of insects, dark passages and murky moral questions remain in full effect

Rated: 3/5

Jan 23, 2024

Full Review

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william s

I watched the director's cut, which I've heard is the better version. The tone still feels a bit disjointed and doesn't know if it should be a horror movie, or a bouncier creature feature, but the Del Toro flare is still present. Not hideous, but nothing special.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

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Jerod S

I mean, it’s fine. 90s CG on a giant slimy roach isn’t going to be good, and Mira is so-so

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

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Liam D

Easily Guillermo del Toro‘s weakest film but the great cast and special effects is still a fun time

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

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Arturs L

Mimic is now available as The Director's Cut on Blu Ray - recommended!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

Full Review

Mark B

Pretty boring and convoluted plot. Some tense scenes but over all not worth your time.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It’s over 25 years old and I remember watching it a while back Guillermo del Toro directs Mira Sorvino, Charles S. Dutton, Giancarlo Giannini, F. Murray Abraham, and Josh Brolin Dozens of children died in New York city because of a strain of infected cockroaches So biologist Susan Taylor created a new species of Judas insects to wipe them out But in doing so the bugs have evolved learning to copy human beings Now the mutated insects have grown to immense size killing everything in their path so Susan and some others in a subway tunnel have to band together to exterminate this advanced species once and for all Didn't know it was based on a short story Some of the cgi has a lot to be desired and the score is very reminiscent of Scream which was also conducted by Marco Beltrami but the practical creature effects are astounding and grotesque Moves by quite nicely as far as its pacing is concerned You could sorta apply the pandemic to what's going on with the plot involving a new strain of insects to fight off a disease that targets children It's true we as humans don't know the after effects of tampering with the natural cycle of life Evolution always takes hold and can be deadly A very good creature feature but just make sure you skip the sequels

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/23/23

Full Review

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Guillermo del Toro

Director

Mira Sorvino

Susan Tyler

Jeremy Northam

Peter Mann

Josh Brolin

Josh

Giancarlo Giannini

Manny

Charles S. Dutton

Officer Leonard Norton

Mimic: Official Clip - These Things Can Imitate Us

3:01

Mimic: Official Clip - A Bug Problem

2:10

Mimic: Official Clip - No Escape

1:55

Mimic: Official Clip - Entomology 101

2:25

Mimic: Official Clip - Lighting a Spark

2:13

Mimic: Official Clip - Leonard's Last Stand

2:18

Mimic: Official Clip - Bug Food

1:45

Mimic: Official Clip - There's Some Weird Sh*t Here

1:28

Mimic: Official Clip - Subway Slaying

2:10

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Synopsis

When a cockroach-spread plague threatens to decimate the child population of New York City, evolutionary biologist Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino) and her research associates rig up a species of "Judas" bugs and introduce them into the environment, where they will mimic the diseased roaches and infiltrate their grubby habitats. So far so good ... until the bugs keep on evolving and learn to mimic their next prey -- humans.

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Producer: Ole Bornedal, B.J. Rack, Bob Weinstein
Screenwriter: Donald A. Wollheim, Matthew Robbins, Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins, Guillermo del Toro
Production Co: Miramax Films, Dimension Films
Rating: R (Terror|Language|Violence)
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 22, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.5M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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