Slugs: The Movie (aka Slugs, muerte viscose) is a 1987 Spanish/American horror film directed and co-written by Juan Piquer Simón (Pieces) and loosely based on the novel Slugs by British novelist Shaun Hutson. It features Michael Garfield, Kim Terry, Philip Machale, Alicia Moro, Santiago Alvarez and John Battaglia. In the US, it was distributed by New World Pictures.
A rural town becomes prey to a strain of black slugs spawned from toxic waste dumping. It is up to the local health inspector to stop them. People are dying mysteriously and gruesomely. Only health worker Mike Brady has a possible solution, but his theory of killer slugs is laughed at by the authorities. Only when the body count begins to rise and a slug expert begins snooping around does it begin to appear as though Mike might be right.
‘Slugs is a bit of a forgotten gem in the sub-genre of nature-attacks horror, and that’s a shame because it’s actually good, gory fun. Spanish director Juan Piquer Simón (aka JP Simon) makes a solid-looking film on a budget and as with his earlier classic, Pieces, he never shies away from gratuitous entertainment in the form of gross practical effects and exposed flesh. Slugs lacks the wit of Pieces, but it still manages to succeed on gore and action alone.’ Rob Hunter, Film School Rejects
‘Based upon a novel by Shaun Hutson – great novel, check out this and his other works, especially “Spawn” and “Erebus” if you haven’t already – this film doesn’t even come close to doing it justice. Yeah, it’s somewhat entertaining, there are a few fun scenes, but it’s hamstrung by clumsiness. Worth a watch, you might even find yourself checking the lettuce for unwelcome guests afterwards, but don’t expect anything great. And, don’t forget to read the book as well, it’s way better.’ Horror Chronicles
‘Slugs is one of the most misanthropic films of all time. Lars Trier has nothing on Slugs. It’s not even mean-spirited. It just happens to show humanity at its most unappealing. It’s populated with selfish drunks, puppy-kicking vagrants, snotty teen girls, underaged n’ thick-necked rapists, stick-up-the-ass bureaucrats, sinister law enforcement, whiny n’ concerned tax-payers, opportunistic politicians, corporate interests, nagging wives, and brain-dead husbands.’ Sean Gill, Junta Juleil’s Culture Shock
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