“Crawl” is one of those disaster thrillers that is a little closer to home for me At its core, it is about the bond between a father and daughter over an intense crocodile attack and a relentless storm This is why it is one of my favorites and why it sadly left one of the best free streaming services this month

If, like me, you find some comfort in disaster movies, “Crawl” is one not to be missed This intense film features a competitive swimmer and his father as they fight for survival in their flooded Florida home during a violent hurricane, while being chased by a vicious alligator A tense survival thriller that should be experienced at least once

Pluto TV is unfortunately dropping this disaster film this month As a Category 5 hurricane hits, Haley (Kaya Scodelario) returns to her childhood home in Florida to check on her father Dave (Barry Pepper) Haley (Kaya Scodelario) returns to her childhood home in Florida to check on her father Dave (Barry Pepper) The swollen water and aggressive alligators make the space a prison, and Haley must use her professional swimming skills to get through such a cramped environment

As a premise, the idea of crocodiles hunting humans may sound a bit far-fetched However, “The Crawl” is much more intense than it seems at first glance Yes, crocodiles are an ever-present danger lurking in the water, but the real horror lies in not knowing when and where they will strike When Haley first steps down into the crawlspace, she almost feels the predators watching her, but it's not until the moment she encounters her first crocodile that she realizes, oh, this is the kind of movie this is Once the action starts in earnest, you won't be able to settle down

Aside from Haley's close call with the crocodile, “Crawl” is set apart from other disaster movies by the heart that drives the story Despite the overwhelming danger, Haley is fighting for her life while trying to save her father and her faithful dog, Sugar

I resonate with this character on a personal level Her commitment to saving her father reminds me of the strong bond I share with him, which is why this intense thriller works so well I always appreciate and remember disaster films that make an effort to develop their characters rather than use them as fresh meat (although some characters are used for this purpose in the film)

Of course, “Crawl” may not be the best film ever made, and there are a few weak moments when it comes to special effects, especially in the fast-paced action scenes with the CG alligators (which is understandable since they obviously couldn't use the real thing) However, that does not mean it is not worth watching Despite its flaws, I absolutely enjoyed this film the first time I saw it, and it's great fun no matter how many times I see it

“Crawl” has been very well received since its 2019 release and currently holds a solid score of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes The Hollywood Reporter also reported that Paramount Pictures has confirmed the production of a sequel due to its incredible success Crawl 2 will feature “a new cast and a new location, in this case a more urban and dangerous New York City”

A sequel may not be necessary, but knowing how much fun “Crawl” was, I'm sure it will be just as entertaining Anything related to disasters or horror always goes straight to my watch list

“Crawl” is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV, a service offering a wide range of movies and shows (note the ads) The film will be released on Thursday, October 31 (yes, Halloween day) If you haven't experienced this intense, claustrophobic thriller yet, here's your chance to see it before it's gone

It's guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish The Crawl knows how to deliver a relentless nightmare If even the smallest space makes you uneasy, this film will turn your worst fears into reality I recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a disaster movie for Halloween

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Stream “Crawl” now on Pluto TV, or buy or rent it on Amazon