Night of the Sea Monkey: A Disturbing Tale

Director - Michael S. Rodriguez
Starring - Lynn Lowry (Ditch Day Massacre), Joe Mannetti (The Summer of Massacre), and Sean Laguna (The Godchildren)
Release Date - 2013
Genre - Comedy/Horror
Tagline - "Instant terror.  Just add water"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I am sick of all these so called horror fans bitching about the current state of horror.  These people are the ones you see wearing A Nightmare on Elm St and Friday the 13th shirts at the theater standing in line to watch Paranormal Activity and then go straight to Wal-Mart to buy a few cheap horror movies.  This individual will then complain about the poor quality of horror he just spent his money on.  Now, do not take this the wrong way because I absolutely fucking love ANoES and F-13th but some people only watches popular films and they do not take the time to really get into the genre.  For the last few years the best horror has not been coming from Hollywood or Toronto but from some dedicated fan to the genre's basement.  The indie horror scene is so vast now that I am constantly discovering new indie flicks to watch and review.  That brings me to the short Night of the Sea Monkey: A Disturbing Tale by Michael S. Rodriguez.  I came across the flick on Facebook and reached out to them.  They were nice enough to send me an online screener and for that I thank you.
     The film follows a young boy who orders a pack of sea critters through the mail.  He waits patiently for them to arrive and when they do he throws them in a fish bowl. Sadly, nothing becomes of this and his mother pours the contents of the bowl down the sink drain.  The family tries to take the young boy's mind off the failed attempt at a pet when pure horror strikes.  The sea monkey is actually alive and is now mutated and blood hungry.  It makes it's way through the young boy's mother, father, and older brother before his grandmother steps in and destroys it.  However, things don't end there.  The beast actually raped his older sister who is now carrying his hellspawn.
     If people would step away from the main stream horror flicks that are controlled by production companies and pick up some real indie horror then the world of horror would be in a much better place.  Indie horror flicks are made by real fans of the genre and they make the films that they would want to see.  That is what Rodriguez set out to do and he accomplished just that.  The acting in the film is decent.  Most of the cast showed the experience necessary to make the film work but more practice would have went a long way.  Acting makes or breaks a film but this one rides the fence line for the most part.  The story is nothing original but it is still fun as hell.  The title obviously references Night of the Living Dead but that film actually involves a group of people who take refuge in an old farmhouse as the undead try to break in.  This flick actually involves humans in a home with a deadly beast trying to eat them which reminded me more of Deadly Spawn more than any other flick.  It may not be original but it was entertaining as hell.  Finally, this film does have a few on screen kills but the special effects are nothing special.  They do their job but nothing "aww" inspiring.  However, the creature looks great.  I would love to see a sequel with more of them in it.  Overall, this is a creature feature that does not take itself too seriously.  This film packs a bite and I would recommend it to anyone.