Renowned author Stephen King, known for his mastery of horror storytelling, continues to find himself impressed by new entries in the genre. His latest praise goes to “Infested,” a chilling horror film currently available for streaming on Shudder.
Taking to his X account, King shared his thoughts on the spider-centric thriller, commending its ability to evoke both fear and disgust while maintaining high quality. Describing it as “scary,” “gross,” and “well made,” King encapsulated his sentiment with a concise review: “INFESTED (Shudder): Spiders, some as big as puppies, overrun a French apartment building. Scary, gross, well made. (French, with English subtitles).”
Despite being a French production, “Infested” offers English subtitles for accessibility to a wider audience on Shudder. The film centers around Kaleb, nearing his thirties and grappling with isolation amidst familial disputes over inheritance. His fascination with exotic creatures leads him to a perilous encounter with a venomous spider, transforming his home into a nightmare of webs and terror.
Notably, “Infested” has garnered significant acclaim from critics, boasting an impressive 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics laud its ability to deliver spine-tingling horror, with one review comparing it favorably to the classic “Arachnophobia.” Director Sébastien Vaniček emphasized the film’s commitment to realism, aiming to evoke genuine fear with common spider species rather than resorting to typical B-movie tropes.
Vaniček elaborated on the film’s approach, highlighting the decision to ground the spider encounters in natural behavior while amplifying their menace for maximum impact. By leveraging familiar spider characteristics and exaggerating them subtly, the filmmakers aimed to create an engaging and terrifying viewing experience that resonates with audiences.
