35 Years Ago, The Best 'Jaws' Ripoff Tried Something Disgustingly New
Briefly

Arachnophobia diverges from typical animal attack films by presenting a unique premise centered on spiders. Directed by Frank Marshall, the film features Dr. Ross Jennings, a man plagued by arachnophobia, who must confront a deadly breed of spiders unleashed in a small California town. These venomous arachnids were unintentionally transported from South America, leading to a surge of fatal attacks. The film combines suspense and humor, distinguishing itself from its predecessor Jaws by focusing on familiar, everyday settings rather than the unknown expanses of the ocean.
Arachnophobia can be counted among the handful that have their own unique identity, considering its surprising direction by Frank Marshall, a longtime Spielberg producer and collaborator.
The film centers around Dr. Ross Jennings, who suffers from arachnophobia, as he faces an army of deadly spiders in a small California town.
Unlike Jaws, which emphasized the terror of the unknown, Arachnophobia uses a blend of suspense and humor, creating tension out of the familiar and everyday.
Marshall delights in the anticipation of fear, crafting moments that take advantage of the audience's expectations, using spiders in shoes or hats to elicit gasps.
Read at Inverse
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