Mimic
An entomologist must confront the evolved insect species she created when its human-mimicking descendants turn Manhattan into a hunting ground.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- foreboding
- claustrophobic
- visceral
- late night horror viewing
- monster movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film visually accomplished and atmospheric, refreshing familiar creature-horror ingredients through Guillermo del Toro's strong visual direction, though its conventional plotting limited its impact.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Susan Tyler's supposedly self-limiting insect survives for years and evolves into a larger predator capable of mimicking humans.
The mature insects can imitate human form, turning recognition and proximity into sources of suspense.
An insect engineered to stop a cockroach-borne epidemic creates a second, more dangerous biological crisis.
The film emphasizes gruesome giant insects, subterranean nests, and tactile creature imagery as central visual attractions.
Films like Mimic, and why
The Host
Shares science fiction horror, monstrous creatures, scientific experimentation, and escalating urban panic.
Alien
Shares claustrophobic creature horror, practical monster effects, subterranean environments, and paranoia about an invasive species.
The Fly
Shares insect-based body horror, mutation, scientific catastrophe, and a tragic transformation of ordinary life.
Cloverfield
Shares urban monster terror, underground nests, practical effects, and a science-driven crisis threatening civilians.
Movie Details
- Director
- Guillermo del Toro
- Release Date
- 1997-08-22
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (1314)
Cast
- Mira Sorvino
- Jeremy Northam
- Giancarlo Giannini
- Charles S. Dutton
- Josh Brolin
- Alexander Goodwin
- Alix Koromzay
- F. Murray Abraham
- James Costa
- Javon Barnwell
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mimic about?
- An entomologist must confront the evolved insect species she created when its human-mimicking descendants turn Manhattan into a hunting ground.
- What is Mimic like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mimic as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Mimic violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Mimic as brutal.
- What did critics think of Mimic?
- Critics generally found the film visually accomplished and atmospheric, refreshing familiar creature-horror ingredients through Guillermo del Toro's strong visual direction, though its conventional plotting limited its impact.
- Which films are like Mimic?
- Films with a similar feel include The Host, Alien, The Fly, and Cloverfield.
- How long is Mimic?
- Mimic runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mimic?
- In United States, Mimic streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
