Mimic

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Mimic

R

Released Aug 22, 1997

1h 45m

Horror

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

52 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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Michael Bodey

The Age (Australia)

Despite being predictable throughout, Del Toro directs with some flair and deserves to have audiences with him at the end.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

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

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

One does not attend Mimic hoping for more than a few new twists on the durable old idea; such movies, like thrill rides at parks, work every single time if they have been well planned and constructed. But Mimic is superior to most of its cousins.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Even after the confirmed studio interference, there's still enough of Guillermo del Toro's original vision intact to enjoy this urban creature feature.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 11, 2025

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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

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Nick O

A totally sick and very underrated giant killer bug flick! If there’s one thing Guillermo Del Toro knows, it’s his way around a monster movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

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G M

I watched this as a kid and enjoyed. Have re watched it more than a few times and still very much enjoy it. It's a scary scifi monster movie and with awesome actors and a great director.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

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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

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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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