Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- campy
- witty
- lurid
- cult movie night
- late night horror
What critics said
Critics broadly find the film entertaining for its campy kaiju premise, game performances, retro creature effects, and satire, though its pacing and unevenness limit its impact.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film combines a giant winged serpent with winking humor and retrograde effects rather than sustained realism.
Jimmy Quinn discovers the monster's nest and tries to bargain with authorities for leverage and profit.
The winged serpent hunts across Manhattan rooftops and landmarks including the Chrysler Building.
Detectives investigate ritualistic deaths while Quinn independently tracks and exploits the creature's location.
Films like Q, and why
The Stuff
campy urban monster horror with retro creature effects and dark humor
Wolfen
New York-set horror blending police investigation, eccentric characters, and social satire
The Host
stylized giant-creature spectacle with urban destruction and cult sensibility
Tremors
camp horror, monster mythology, and irreverent genre satire
Movie Details
- Director
- Larry Cohen
- Release Date
- 1982-09-08
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (502)
Cast
- Michael Moriarty
- Candy Clark
- David Carradine
- Richard Roundtree
- James Dixon
- Malachy McCourt
- Fred J. Scollay
- Peter Hock
- Ron Cey
- Mary Louise Weller
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Q about?
- A desperate ex-con exploits a Manhattan monster's nest while detectives race to solve ritualistic killings linked to a giant winged serpent.
- What is Q like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Q as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Q violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Q as graphic.
- What did critics think of Q?
- Critics broadly find the film entertaining for its campy kaiju premise, game performances, retro creature effects, and satire, though its pacing and unevenness limit its impact.
- Which films are like Q?
- Films with a similar feel include The Stuff, Wolfen, The Host, and Tremors.
- How long is Q?
- Q runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Q?
- In United States, Q streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
