DVD Corner

Sting Blu-ray Review

“Sting” delivers in what it sets out to do.

Set in a rundown South Brooklyn apartment building during the winter, 2024’s “Sting” revolves around a frustrated teen girl (Charlotte) who lives with her stepfather (a super/comic artist named Ethan), mother (Heather) and infant half-brother (Liam). Her grandmother (Helga) and great Aunt (Gunter) also reside in the building. The obscenely cheap Gunter actually owns the building. To cut to the chase, Charlotte discovers a small spider and becomes fascinated by it. She takes it home, feeds it, names it Sting, and sees that it starts growing A LOT and in record time. It turns out this is not a normal spider, however, but rather an alien spider. As Sting’s hunger grows, everyone in the building is now in grave danger. Not even the pets or baby Liam are safe!

Written and directed by Kiah Roache-Turner, “Sting” is a very straightforward horror tale about a quarreling family that comes together to fight off a killer spider. The film doesn’t bring anything new to the spider movie or creature feature genre, but it’s still a satisfying killer spider movie nonetheless. If you suffer from arachnophobia, this is definitely not the movie for you as this nasty spider will undoubtedly freak you out. If you’re looking for a breezy horror movie, this will scratch that itch. It never takes itself seriously and instead focuses on the characters and the bloody spider mayhem (which is done with a combination of puppets, practical effects, and CGI). It’s exactly as advertised.  

While some horror fans may be content with just the spider attacks, “Sting” deserves credit for developing characters. Alyla Browne (recently seen in “Furiosa”) impresses in the lead role as Charlotte (get it, “Charlotte’s Web”?). Comedian/actor Jermaine Fowler livens up the film in a small role as an exterminator named Frank. Australian actor Ryan Corr (“House of the Dragon”) turns in a strong performance as the burnt out stepdad Ethan. Robyn Nevin gives an out there but enjoyable performance as the landlady Gunter.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? A bit on the dark side, but a pleasant hi-def transfer nonetheless.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 5.1 track is effective in all the right places.

 
Extras include a “Sting” trailer, Well GO USA trailers and a behind the scenes featurette. 

July 29, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Horror Movie, Spider Movie, Sting Blu-ray Review, Sting Movie