Squirm (1976)

"You gonna be da' worm face!", 11 June 2009

Squirm's plot centers on a small town in rural Georgia that has just witnessed a tremendous storm. Power lines are down and electricity is going straight into the ground forcing some dramatic and deadly changes to otherwise docile and innocuous worms. A young woman named Geri and her Yankee, antique hunting boyfriend named Mick are the only ones who seem to have a clue about what's going on and are now in a fight for their lives against the murderous worms.

I first saw Squirm about 20 or so years ago and, to be honest, didn't really care for it. At the time I suppose I would have rated it about a 3/10 (if I had been rating movies 20 or so years ago). For lack of a better word, it didn't "click" with me. Well, thank goodness for Mystery Science Theater 3000. Over the past several years, I've probably watched the Squirm episode of MST3K a half a dozen times. And each time, I've found myself enjoying the movie more and more. I may never consider Squirm one of my favorite all-time movies, but I now rate it a solid 6/10 (and still climbing). It's a nice addition to the Nature Run Amuck or the Man vs. Nature sub-genre of horror movies so popular in the 70s.

Much of what I initially disliked about the movie are the very same things I now see as positives. First off, the over-blown Southern accents really bothered me the first few times I watched Squirm. Now I realize they're not to be taken seriously. Like most everything else in the movie, the over-the-top "Southerness" of Geri, her family, and the entire town of Fly Creek is a huge asset. It adds a lot of character and overall fun to the movie. There were also a number of characters that initially really got on my nerves. From Mama to the Sheriff, I had trouble watching several of them. Over the years, however, I've grown to appreciate these eccentric caricatures and what they add to the movie. For example, I can't imagine watching Squirm without Mama's Gone with the Wind like pronouncements on everything from the weather to the seating arrangements at dinner. Next, I originally looked at the killer worm plot as being about the stupidest thing I had ever watched. But you know, I think it's supposed to be that way. The notion of rampaging worms is a hilarious, campy scream - and oh so much fun. Add to all this the really nice low budget special effects, solid acting by a group of unknown actors (for many, this was their only screen credit), wonderfully authentic Georgia locations, good pacing, and a steady directorial hand and it's amazing it's taken me this long to appreciate Squirm.

Once again, thank you MST3K for opening my eyes to this entertaining little movie.

6/10