Watch King of the Ants

King of the Ants is a dark, gritty thriller directed by Stuart Gordon, the mastermind behind horror cult classics like Re-Animator and From Beyond. The movie was released in 2003 and is based on a novel by Charlie Higson. The plot revolves around Sean Crawley (Chris McKenna), a struggling young man who takes on a job as a handyman for a wealthy businessman named Duke (George Wendt). While working for Duke, Sean becomes friends with a fellow construction worker named Eric Gatley (Kari Wuhrer). One day, Duke offers Sean a job that involves more than just fixing things around the house. He asks him to track down and kill a man who owes him a large sum of money.

Sean reluctantly accepts the job, but things quickly spiral out of control. The man he's been hired to kill turns out to be an innocent accountant named Derek (Ron Livingston), and Sean's actions have far-reaching consequences. He becomes embroiled in a web of violence and deception that leads him to question everything he thought he knew about himself and those around him.

King of the Ants is a movie that delves into the darker side of human nature. It's not a feel-good film, but rather a thought-provoking exploration of the consequences of our actions. The movie's themes include the nature of power, the importance of personal responsibility, and the lengths that people will go to in order to protect their own interests.

The acting in King of the Ants is solid across the board. Chris McKenna gives a compelling performance as the film's protagonist, portraying Sean as a sympathetic but ultimately flawed character. Kari Wuhrer is also great as Eric, injecting some much-needed levity into the movie. George Wendt, best known for playing Norm in the hit TV show Cheers, is surprisingly scary as the ruthless Duke.

The film's direction by Stuart Gordon is also worth noting. Gordon is an experienced horror director, and he brings his expertise to King of the Ants. The movie is shot in a stark, realistic style that emphasizes the bleakness of the story. Gordon doesn't shy away from showing the violence and gore that is an inevitable part of the film's plot, but he also doesn't rely on it to carry the movie.

One of the strengths of King of the Ants is its script by Charlie Higson. The story is well-crafted, with a series of twists and turns that keep the audience guessing. The characters are all well-drawn, with complex motivations and backstories. While the movie deals with some heavy subject matter, there's also a lot of dark humor to be found in the dialogue.

The movie's soundtrack, composed by Richard Band, also deserves mention. It's ominous and foreboding, lending a sense of unease to the proceedings. The sound design is also excellent, with every gunshot and impact being felt in full force.

Overall, King of the Ants is a well-made thriller that packs a punch. It's not for the faint of heart, as it deals with some disturbing subject matter, but it's a movie that will stick with you long after the credits roll. If you're a fan of dark, gritty thrillers, then King of the Ants is definitely worth checking out.

King of the Ants is a 2003 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.