Watch Them!

Them! is a classic science-fiction film from 1954 directed by Gordon Douglas. It tells the story of an FBI agent, Robert Graham, and a New Mexico police officer, Ben Peterson, who team up to investigate a series of mysterious deaths in the desert caused by giant ants. As they delve deeper, they discover a colony of mutated ants, created by atomic testing, which pose a threat to human existence.

The film opens with a tense and eerie sequence as a little girl, traumatized and alone, wanders the desert after a car accident that killed her family. Graham and Peterson find her and take her to the local hospital, where they start investigating the cause of the accident. As they move further into the investigation, they come across a strange substance similar to formic acid, which is produced by ants. Through their research, they discover that the chemical signature of the substance is too similar to be a coincidence.

As Graham and Peterson continue their investigation, they soon realize that the cause of the girl's accident and the strange substance is linked to a nearby nest of giant ants. The situation becomes even more dangerous when they discover that the ants are not only larger than usual, but they are also more intelligent and organized. They work together like a well-oiled machine and can communicate with each other through a sophisticated form of pheromone signaling.

The story then takes an even more intense turn when the giant ants start to attack humans, causing mass panic and destruction. The team of scientists, including Dr. Harold Medford and his daughter, Patricia, whom Graham and Peterson work with, develop a plan to destroy the queen ant and end the threat. The climax of the movie is a thrilling battle in the giant ant's nest, which is filled with tension and danger.

Them! has all the classic elements of a great science-fiction movie from the 1950s. The giant ants, which are created through a combination of animatronics, puppetry, and special effects, are genuinely terrifying and convincing. The film's use of darkness, shadows, and sound effects build a sense of suspense and dread that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The acting in the movie is also impressive, with James Whitmore giving a standout performance as a seasoned FBI agent.

But despite the film's exciting creature feature elements, Them! is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of atomic testing and the consequences of tampering with nature. The film's themes are particularly relevant for the time in which it was made, during the height of the Cold War and widespread paranoia about atomic weapons. The giant ants, a result of exposure to radioactive materials, are a metaphor for the potential harm that atomic energy can cause.

Overall, Them! is a classic science-fiction movie that has stood the test of time. Its intelligent storytelling and compelling characters are just as engaging today as they were in 1954. The film's combination of suspense, action, and thought-provoking themes make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Them! is a 1954 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 74.