Arachnophobia - Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann reviews Arachnophobia, starring Jeff Daniels, Harley Jane Kozak, John Goodman, Julian Sands. Directed by Frank Marshall.

[@DeanH92]

I met Julian Sands at Horror Con UK in 2022, which turned out to be his last convention ever. I asked about this film, and he had very fond memories of working with Jeff Daniels and John Goodman. I remember him saying that they were very professional.

[@angelkiller]

RIP Julian Sands.

[@DeanH92]

@@angelkiller Very sad what happened to him.

[@rwaters11]

Legit checked the shower for spiders every day for about 10 years after watching this

[@derekpeterson7412]

And the toilet. 😮

[@jakerios27]

The bed sheets for sure 😂

[@polreamonn]

It was the burglars breaking in through your wondows you should have been watching out for.

[@Irlydntcare]

I once had to take a shower in the basement and not one, but two spiders came out of nowhere. I still have nightmares. Never used that shower again.

[@rwaters11]

@@Irlydntcare id do the same. Its their shower now 😂

[@celeboria]

"They bite?" "They kill, Mr. Manley, in sufficient numbers."

[@djufu1]

This movie TRAUMATIZED me as a child!!!!! It’s the reason I have arachnophobia!

[@Kabosche]

Well, you didn't HAVE to buy it. (Sorry, couldn't resist!😂)

[@XSAGA87]

You and me both, this movie will never ever leave my brain.

[@beinteractive3207]

Same 😅

[@Xavier-ty4jw]

Dude what were you expecting then?

[@FelipeKana1]

Same but I managed to cure myself. How? Well there were a lot of spiders in my college campus' woods (and I was studying Biology, so it did come up a lot). I knew these spiders were safe, so one day I tried to have one bite me, in order to lose the fear. I manage to catch one with my hands but it wouldn't bite me at all. It kept trying to run away. Now, that could've been enough to heal my arachnophobia, and probably will suffice to many, but I was expecting a physical/ organic interaction, so I decided that I had to eat it. And I did it. I smashed it slightly with a rock first (so it wouldn't bite me inside my mouth or run between my teeth, but that was probably unnecessary), and ate it on the spot. It was crunchy and a bit sweet with an new aftertaste. It didn't made me sick or anything later. So, yeah, no more fear.

[@cpz1019]

The scene where the spiders crawling out of the sink has always bothering me. So thanks for including it… twice

[@H3rnD1zzl3]

Your reaction when the spider jumped on the woman in the shower was something I had to rewind five times because it was so hilarious! Thanks for torturing yourself for this review and a Happy Halloween!

[@jcaashby3]

RIP Julian Sands loved all his movies when I was a kid...movies like Warlock.

[@WarlordRising]

Warlock is amazing. An adult version of Harry Potter way before Potter existed.

[@1982maxgill]

Warlock The Armageddon Is my favourite!

[@vudujl83]

just LOVE this movie…and it still holds up all these decades later

[@ImSrry4BeingWhite]

Same! When i was a kid i watched it all the time. I just rewatched it as a 32 year old man and it freaking holds up!! I adore this film 🎥 🍿

[@1982maxgill]

R.I.P Julian Sands! One of my favourite actors!

[@WhatAboutZoidberg]

Yea, this movie triggered my Arachnophobia that is still strong to this day. It's just SO effective with the real spiders they chose to use in this. It convinced me spiders would attack me, even though I know they will always prefer to run and hide. I had to rewatch it again a few years ago because I forgot how amazing John Goodman is in this movie, he chews up the scenes with panache. The movie is actually so good I can get through the rest.

[@donbrunodelamancha1927]

I have, what can be kindly called severe, arachnophobia, so I have only seen this film once, and even though I loved it, I simply could not stay in my seat for long periods of time. That is the quality of this film! I am certain it holds up. I do not fear other insects…. My 11th of your Halloween Specials, and they get better every year. Miss Sam’s participation. Algorithm engagement!

[@johnsmith651]

This movie is underrated. It fantastically blends horror but with a lighter touch. It also has great production values

[@visionarylocomotiveworks9703]

A genuinely fantastic film that deserves more praise. Both Jeff Daniels and John Goodman knock it out of the park with their performances, and manages to be incredibly funny as well as terrifyingly uncomfortable.

[@apoplexiamusic]

I’ve wondered for so long why nobody on KZbin talks about this movie. I remember seeing parts of it when i was young

[@Legato-2057]

I saw this in the theater. I was so scared, I walked out. I was 11.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

I’ve always been in the odd group with arachnids, I find them fascinating & cool. I let them have the run of the garage shop, within reason, keeps the bugs down in the months I leave the door open. Saw this in the theater with a date, when the spider appears I said “awh, it’s cute” and got an evil stare from my date, never saw her again. This is one of those I consider the “irrational” part of what a phobia is defined as, the vast majority of arachnids will leave you alone. You’re statistically more likely to be in a car accident than bitten by a spider, do you have automobilephobia? Ophidiophobia on the other hand, that’s not irrational, snakes are the devil’s work.

[@utterlyviolet]

@c1ph3rpunk But snakes eat mice, and scare off other animals you don't want in your home. I'm not saying don't be scared of them, but know they have a purpose. Some snakes eat spiders. Some spiders eat snakes.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

@@utterlyviolet my cat takes care of the mice. In the immortal words of Professor Jones, “snakes, why’d it have to be snakes. I hate snakes”.

[@joonlee7884]

Chris grew up gripping it during movies

[@libralynx98]

This film is the reason I don't have arachnophobia!! I always saw Jeff Daniels and John Goodman as comedic actors as a kid so I thought it was supposed to be a comedy movie for the longest time (ahhh the mind of a child)!!! LOVE IT

[@CaspisSinclair27]

You're absolutely correct about the shot of the house near the end! ILM did the cg for that single shot of all the spiders crawling on the home.

[@stormshadowproductions1660]

This and 8 legged freaks are both really good and really fun spider theme horror movies while also being sort of a comedy

[@BriannaMoore-h7l]

Your editing is perfect, loved it!

[@danbh84]

Go away spam

[@RetroChaos]

I remember watching Arachnophobia on repeat on VHS when I was younger. Such a good movie!!

[@theleafactor]

omg you putting in that clip at 7:01 literally made me scream and my parents yelled up "DID YOU SEE A SPIDER?!" 😅😅😅😅😅😅 basically Mom...basically ☠☠

[@j-rey-]

I love your reviews Chris, especially your longer ones and your horror movie reviews during Halloween season. Hopefully you can get around to another long form analysis someday, like the ones you did for It Comes at Night and Enemy. Happy Halloween. I hope the veil between the living and the dead is particularly thin for you this spooky season ⚰️💀🔪🎃🧟‍♂️

[@winkletter]

Surprisingly, I couldn't find an "Arachnophobia Without The Spiders" cut on KZbin.

[@santos8468]

I want to point out how creative the score is, particularly early on. I'm talking about when it transitions from the jungle to the small town.

[@kcmichelson4528]

Phobia implies an IRRATIONAL fear of something. It's not irrational to be afraid of spiders 😂.

[@dougdeveloper8850]

The closeup on that spider’s eyes at the end…😬😬😬

[@karavilas]

My thoughts exactly!!!!

[@RunieDayeVT]

have you stared at a Jumping Spiders eyes? they are soo cute spider doggos :D I dont have a fear of spiders, I have a Brown Widow in my shower that hasnt bothered anyone :) they just want to mind there own business :)

[@libbybarr4844]

I was 10 when this came out and love it to this day. The coat hook scene is a fave. The end credits song is so much fun. And I have always been enamoured with Julian Sands RIP 🕷️

[@kalevi7821]

Oh, you're going there. My scariest movie.

[@WhosTheMorley]

Rocking Roll 😂 Love John Goodman in this movie!

[@TiagoNomad]

The scene where the old lady is going to turn her lamp off and a spider jumps on her hand is what, to this day, makes me check a lamp every time I get near one. 😅

[@patrickshea9392]

So I'd never heard of infested but I watched a few clips after you mentioned it. I work in a wastewater treatment plant and there are some areas of the plant that look kinda like that hallway with webs all around the room and spiders crawling all over. Not to that extent but pretty damn creepy if you hate spiders. This time of year where I live they are really active. Dozens hanging over every doorway. Probably not too fun for a lot of people. Anyways, love the channel!

[@TooTallBones]

Ibsaw this movie in theaters when it originally came out. People were running out of the theater. Like dozens of people, screaming and running out. I was probably 10 or 11. It was awesome. To this day, it's the only experience I've ever had like it in a movie theater.

[@ianlampe1502]

I love the old-school craft brought here, it's masterfully paced and it's a solid B-Movie creature feature that also came out to the same year as Tremors. Also, this movie has a comic book adaptation, so check that out.

[@cheryloconnor-nz]

I am with you Chris on this movie, I watched it years ago and it freaked me out so much I had nightmares for years after! It's one of those films that scares the bejeezus out of you if you have an irrational fear of spiders. If very well done.😱

[@blkcat93]

There was a "how it was made" on this is watched with great interest. Training or guiding the spiders was fascinating. They used hair dryers to get them to move in certain directions. I forget what type of spiders were used.

[@TheSauceYouGetLostin]

What I think really seals the deal with this movie Today is that you look at the cast now and think "oh this is a comedy horror" or something which yeah it has it's funny parts, which by all rights are throw away parts) but it is actually really horrific and pretty realistic. The cast kinda subverts your expectations. Kinda like the original Predator.

[@crobinson2624]

Great movie. A lot of people forget that the spider in the film isn’t a black widow but a newly discovered spider from South America that mated with a common north American spider. 😅

[@mapsandstuff2923]

Went to see this when it came out, i was 7. Man taking tickets at the door told us it was scary and i might be too young. My mum said 'she'll be fine'. I loved it. Still one of my favourite films. I tend to think spiders are cute but then again i live in the UK where they are annoying but unlikely to cause my death.

[@thewrestlingoldhead]

I watched this recently. Still holds up. Loved the practical effects and i could have sworn there was more John Goodman in the movie.

[@martinprehn9353]

great film. And don't forget that soundtrack by Trevor Jones - so good, and oddly romantic/adventurous in that Jurassic park kind of way.

[@zadehgenerous9331]

This is one of the last blu rays i picked up from Best Buy before they got rid of physical media. I remember it fondly from my childhood!

[@thedude1562]

I saw this at a drive in the first time. It's one of those first viewing experiences I wish I could do over. Love this movie.

[@012gage]

Watching this around 5 years old in the 90s is the reason till this day I’ve been scared of spiders. Well done, you made a traumatizing movie for me 😭 lol

[@Poptartsicles]

That movie gave me nightmares as a kid and I couldn't stop but think every single itch anywhere on my body at ANY time was a spider... For WEEKS.

[@alexrogers9051]

Never could stick my hand in a box of cheez it’s without fear ever again ever since I saw this as a child.

[@sonicyuuki2292]

I remember seeing the movie on tv once, and I think it was the ending. I don't want to alarm you, but I remember seeing the South American spider being on fire while still alive, making one last effort to get to the doctor. I also remember seeing the movie on the horror section at a Blockbuster, right alongside another spider movie, Eight-Legged Freaks

[@rezmstrs]

I love that this film keeps with the signature AMBLIN feel of adventure

[@brockst9190]

Omg I love this movie. Props for the video, never really see people talk about this movie

[@Kabosche]

A college roommate and I watched this from BEHIND A COUCH like we were both six years old!

[@MainelyMandy]

Oh god, I have pretty intense arachnaphobia and I remember seeing this at a young age. The scene where the spider comes down from the lamp shade scared me so bad and I am always nervous around lamps with any kind of covering because of it. I haven't revisited it as an adult but think I might have to try and challenge myself with it.

[@Faben32]

I always loved this movie and you're right about the effects holding up because they used real spiders which I looked up due to curiosity and they're a specific breed native to new Zealand and are actually harmless to humans. On a side note, I suffer from cetaphobia. I can't even look at pictures. You'll see what I mean if you want to look that up.

[@terminalshutin]

I have always wanted to try watching this movie again. I have severe arachnophobia (because of this goddamn movie...the shower scene has actually happened to me irl)...I remember liking Jeff Daniels and John Goodman, but I actually had to walk out of the movie and go sit in a theater showing DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp until I calmed down. I thought enough time had passed that I could give it another chance. As soon as the first shots of the spiders in *this* video started, I knew I wasn't ready. I had to cover the screen or avert my eyes everytime it happened. I'm not exaggerating when I say I broke out in a sweat, tears started streaming down my face and my hands started shaking (and still are).

[@alecmartinez999]

I remember seeing this movie when I was like 5. This movie is a major catalyst that caused MY arachnophobia. 😂😭

[@JRiley187]

It always made me lol that this movie gives the spiders…voices? Like they make this screeching sound. But all these animal films do that. Like how the snake in Anaconda also made semi roaring sounds lol

[@OddOneOut665]

Yo Stucky! What are your thoughts on VENOM: THE LAST DANCE, huh????

[@MyNamelsBlue]

Man I love the Halloween selection this year

[@melanieparker]

If you look closely you can see a STICK pushing the General up when it's crawling on Daniel's chest.

[@kakarot5832]

You broke this down wonderfully

[@hawk12983]

Is this streaming anywhere? I would always like to give it a watch around Halloween.

[@rezmstrs]

Peacock

[@notaspacealien]

I finally think I have a handle on my fear of spiders and I watch this. Back to therapy.

[@91137732]

Finally a review of one of my favorite movies of all time

[@joshcannon3073]

One of my all time childhood favorites 💜

[@deadenddrive-in3166]

Where da “Frankie Freako” review???!!!

[@gridlazertron9881]

I remember my dad took my brother and I to see it at the cinema, and the part where the spider lunges at Jeff Daniels out of the pipe made my dad jump back in his seat so hard he threw his drink on the guy sat behind him. Needless to say he wasn’t impressed 😂

[@sharoncaseyledwidge]

I can’t watch this review because I recently lived through this movie in real life

[@crobinson2624]

“Real butter or fake butter? Fake butter.” 😂

[@nickdorenkamp959]

The few times I've watched this, that giant egg sack in the basement just gave me shivers.

[@MyFavoriteVegan]

Watched this in theaters and it traumatized me. Now 46 years old, spiders still creep me tf out. 👀

[@qrowreznov5087]

This movie permanently gave me a fear of spiders still to this day.

[@screamname7742]

I am afraid of spiders too and since I watch this movie at that time, I always check my shoes for spiders before putting them on.

[@brandonfry2808]

Didn’t know I had arachnophobia until I watched this movie. Messed me up as a kid.

[@Imfreehowaboutu]

Love this movie. Still makes the hairs on my neck stand up straight.

[@jackymelissa3133]

That shower scene still haunts me to this day. I still refuse to re-watch this movie

[@timb1319]

The movie that made me always look in and around the toilet bowl before i sat down 😅

[@karimmuhammad2765]

Just did a double feature with Arachnophobia and INFESTED, the new spiders horror french movie. I had a fun night.

[@EricGranata]

I loved this movie when it came out. Hoping to hear it stands up. Would love to watch it with muh kids.

[@tugatrix]

Loved this movie as a kid, I need to rewatch it as an adult

[@melaniemoul]

I loved this movie as a kid because I hate spiders and it felt way too over the top to be real. Now I’m married to a man who loves all creepy crawlies and is teaching our kids to save the spiders. I can’t really argue with him that they do a lot of good but ugh keep them away from me please

[@kyleisreal_tv]

I just watched this 3 days ago with some buddy’s in discord. How weird you are doing a review but awesome

[@ponygon777]

Watching all the Spider-Man movies must have been torture for Chris.

[@TheLongestTake]

Me n my cousin loved this when we were kids

[@junzsi]

Been forever waiting or looking for a funko figure or any of John Goodman character in this film haha not much time in the film but a huge presence. Watched this as a kid and a great fun horror movie.

[@ipleathetv6334]

I’ve been trying to get my sister (whose terrified of anything with more than 4 legs) to watch this movie with me for years now. It was my favorite as a kid although I was also traumatized.

[@lanceareadbhar]

This was one of my favorite movies as a kid.

[@AshParth560]

I love this movie since I've seen it as a teenager, and i still do as a horror comedy on its own. Though I understand that it won't do well for those with arachnaphobia.

[@solveigelisabethhenne1739]

My sisters and I rented this when it came out, and two of us were severely traumatized, my middle sister had nightmares for a week and I`ve been deadly scared of spiders since.. I have no idea what posessed us to watch it!

[@DarkZero0609]

I still have arachnophobia! I will never see this movie, even though I should face my fears. Damn it Chris why do you have a tarantula in your thumbnail!! 😭 lol

[@Atrus999]

"Eight legs. Two fangs. And an attitude." So then this is basically a Karen horror movie.

[@saladin5]

Entomophobia basically fear or phobia of anthropoids... any creatures that have "those legs"

[@IanMoone-bl7le]

Curious if he'll do TICKS (1993) next lol

[@bocowan9106]

You should totally do Bats next year!

[@Yivchan]

the best part is when the killer spider procreates with local spiders 😆😆😆

[@bradwhiteuk]

My friend (who has seen the majority of Stuckmann reviews) can't even watch this video, let alone the movie. I had to clip my favourite bit for her 😂

[@GatheredMyst]

Arachnophobia: The movie that gave me arachnophobia.

[@wyrlismike]

Same Chris!!! That hat would be dead to me

[@MaxMilly_85]

pound for pound the most effective scary movie ever

[@ShawnBrown-kr7ni]

Official title: "ARACHNOPHOBIA" Original title: 5:59

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, Chris! 🕷 I saw this one on the big screen.