Watch It's Alive
- PG
- 1974
- 1 hr 31 min
-
5.8 (9,243)
It's Alive is a horror film released in 1974 directed by Larry Cohen. The film follows Frank (John P. Ryan) and Lenore Davis (Sharon Farrell) as they give birth to a monstrous baby. The baby exhibits abnormal strength and a murderous disposition, causing panic and terror to anyone who crosses its path. Meanwhile, a group of doctors led by Dr. James (Andrew Duggan) are tasked with finding a way to stop the baby and determining the cause of its condition.
The film begins with Frank and Lenore Davis, a young and happy couple expecting their second child. However, things take a horrific turn when Lenore goes into labor in the middle of the night. The delivery is complicated, and the doctors struggle to deliver the baby. When the baby finally emerges, there is a sense of relief in the room, but that is quickly replaced with terror when the baby begins biting and clawing at the doctors.
The police are called in to investigate the incident, but Frank and Lenore cannot believe that their baby is responsible for the attack. They sneak into the hospital to see him and come face to face with the damage their child has caused. The baby is surprisingly strong and vicious, attacking anyone who comes near him. Frank and Lenore's attachment to the baby conflict with their impulse to protect their family and others from their child's savagery.
As the town falls into chaos, the doctors work to learn more about the baby's condition. They discover that the baby was exposed to a high level of radiation while in the womb. This information leads the doctors to believe that exposure to radiation during gestation has caused mutations similar to those observed in animals. Dr. James leads a team of researchers to track down other mothers who were exposed to similar levels of radiation during pregnancy. They need to determine the cause of the mutation and whether the other children born have similar mutations.
As the doctors race against time to solve the mystery and contain the threat, Frank and Lenore struggle with their decision about whether or not to terminate their baby. They love their child and want to protect him, but they know that his condition may put others at risk. They grapple with their sense of responsibility and guilt that they may have caused their child's condition.
The film's director, Larry Cohen, cleverly uses the monster baby as a metaphor for the fear and anxieties that modern society has towards technology and science. Following the release of the film, it became a cult classic and was praised for its visceral scenes and unique premise.
John P. Ryan and Sharon Farrell play their roles as the frantic parents with great conviction. Their performances create empathy toward the couple who are caught in this terrifying situation of being afraid of their own child. Andrew Duggan, who plays Dr. James, brings a sense of reason to the situation, examining the mutation scientifically and making sure that the movie never entirely falls into frivolous territory.
It's Alive manages to both thrill and horrify its audiences as the heart-wrenching and terrifying scenario plays out on screen. It puts the audience's sympathies in conflict, resulting in a catharsis that is not always typical for a horror film.
Overall, It's Alive is a fantastic horror film that still holds its impact today. It touches on the primal fears of humanity while toning down its excesses in favor of well-rounded storytelling. It's a must-watch for horror fans looking for a thought-provoking and fascinating tale.
It's Alive is a 1974 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 72.