EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesStingSting director says he’s “kind of remaking Alien” with the giant spider horror movieWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesStingSting director says he’s “kind of remaking Alien” with the giant spider horror movieWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Studiocanal)
Given that it’s about a giant murderous spider, new horror movie Sting has been understandably compared to the likes of Eight Legged Freaks and Arachnophobia. For writer-director Kiah Roache-Turner, though, it’s more like one of the most iconic sci-fi movies of all time: Alien.
“I’m kind of remaking [it],” he says of Ridley Scott’s acclaimed film in the new issue ofSFX magazine, which features Doctor Who on the cover. “[Sting is] effectively a haunted house movie with a giant killer alien. There was always something spider-like about that Giger creation in Alien, it felt insectoid, and I wanted to make something that was a scary single-location horror, with one family.”
Alien wasn’t Roache-Turner’s only influence, either. In the interview, the Australian filmmaker – whohas some strong opinions on PG-13 genre flicks– says he took inspiration from the likes of Jurassic Park, Duel, and Jaws as well. In short, he was a big fan of Steven Spielberg’s horror era…
“He creates such accessible central characters, that way he creates a family unit that you love,” he explains, mentioning Poltergeist, which Spielberg wrote, too. “You care about his characters, and I wanted to try something like that in a classic style.”
(Image credit: Studiocanal)
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StarringThe Blackening’s Jermaine Fowler, Wolf Creek 2’s Ryan Corr, and Alyla Browne, Sting sees rebellious 12 year old Charlotte (Browne) unknowingly bring a deadly, spider-resembling alien into her family’s small Brooklyn apartment. Over the course of a few days, the comic book-obsessed youngster, who’s having a hard time bonding with her illustrator stepfather Ethan (Corr), keeps her new pet plied with all the cockroaches she can find, which leads to its inexplicably fast growth.
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Despite his ongoing fear of spiders, Roache-Turner’s ready for round two if the film proves to be a success. “It will probably be called Children of Sting, which immediately tells you what the plot is,” he says. “It’s like The Raid with giant spiders. If Sting is Alien, then this would be like Aliens. There’s probably heavy weaponry involved.”
Sting releases in UK cinemas on May 31. The above is just a snippet from our interview, available inthe latest issue of SFX magazine, which features Doctor Who on the cover and is available from Wednesday, May 15. Check out what you should be looking out for on newsstands below…
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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1
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4
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5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”