Kino Lorber
Marking the English-language debut of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, Mimic sees Dr. Peter Mann (Jeremy Northam) enlist entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino) to help develop a way to cull New York’s cockroach population, as the pests are spreading the incurable Strickler’s disease, which is killing hundreds of the metropolis’ children.
Three years after successfully eradicating the threat by creating the hybrid insect known as the Judas breed, life in the Big Apple has seemingly returned to normal, but when strange disappearances and deaths begin to occur and Susan learns of what appears to be new species of insect, the scientists begin to realize that what was deemed a successful solution to a deadly public health concern may ultimately turn out to be a disaster in disguise.
Against the backdrop of 90s cinema as a whole, Mimic manages to satisfy in a number of categories, as its taps into the thriller formula as well as the science fiction trend, two genres that dominated the decade thanks to the success of The X-Files, which expertly blended both to create some of the best mainstream entertainment in pop culture history.
Weaving a menacing, filthy tapestry of suspense and unease, the world of Mimic leaves viewers feeling uncomfortable at every turn, creating a world that feels indicative of entertainment at the time, all the while also highlighting several trademarks of del Toro’s approach to storytelling and filmmaking.
As such, the bones for what would become the Mexican auteur’s signature style are also all there, albeit it is also clearly the work of a filmmaker who had yet to hone his craft.
This is not to say that Mimic feels sophomore as much, as the competence and skill of del Toro is evident throughout the film, just as the blend of mystery in the first half coupled with a more standard creature feature approach in the second half lends the film a more substantial identity of its own compared to other films of its ilk from the decade.
With a visual side that feels like being dragged down behind a dirty old stove that has not been cleaned for decades, Mimic creates an unpleasant but enveloping world where the tactile nature of the filth of urban environs that we tend to avoid helps support the suspension of disbelief, which in turn creates a sense of unease that is emphasized and sustained throughout by the film.
Leaving a lot to the imagination in the best possible sense, the cinematography and lighting of Mimic makes the places we do not like to look seem even more alien and unsettling than they already are, which also helps the film to be both a defining product of its time, as well as an interesting early entry into del Toro’s filmography.
Featuring celebrated actors such as F. Murray Abraham, Charles S. Dutton and John Brolin, the supporting cast adds an engaging backdrop of characters for Northam and Sorvino to play against, Sorvino in particular delivering a compelling performance that only helped to further propel her career.
As creature features go, Mimic is well worth a revisit, not only for fans of Guillermo del Toro in particular or those waxing poetic about the 90s in general, as it is a well-realized and compelling science fiction thriller that can easily be watched alongside more campy fare such as fellow 1997 alum The Relic, albeit Mimic has substantially more going for it beyond the surface level appeal of late 20th century creature feature nostalgia.
Extras include both the theatrical and Director’s Cut of the film, multiple audio commentaries, archival featurettes hosted by Guillermo del Toro, deleted scenes, animated storyboards, and trailer.
Verdict: 7 out of 10.
