Synopsis
Mutated by his own secret formula, Dr. Alec Holland becomes Swamp Thing - a half human, half plant superhero who will stop at nothing to rescue government agent Alice Cable and defeat his evil arch nemesis Arcane... even if it costs him his life.
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Cast
- Louis JourdanDr. Anton Arcane
- Adrienne BarbeauAlice Cable
- Ray WiseDoctor Alec Holland
- David HessFerret
- Nicholas WorthBruno
- Don KnightRitter
- Al RubanCharlie
- Dick DurockSwamp Thing
- Ben BatesArcane Monster
- Nannette BrownDr. Linda Holland
Recommendations
- 88
Slant Magazine
It all adds up to a surefire cult film in the making. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Will you like this film? Yes, probably, if you like monster and horror movies. The movie occupies familiar ground, but it has a freshness and winsome humor to fit it, and Craven moves confidently through the three related genres he's stealing from (monster movies, mad scientist movies, and transformation movies in which people turn into strange beings). There's beauty in this movie, if you know where to look for it. - 70
Washington Post
Swamp Thing isn't completely successful at banishing the old corkers and stereotypes, but it's a harmless, watchable comic-book thriller, refreshingly suitable for kids of almost any age.[10 May 1982, p.C2] - 60
Time Out
Craven tries to do this 'veggie-man' horror in a suitable DC Comics style; and with Louis Jourdan as arch-villain 'Arcane', not to mention Adrienne Barbeau (Mrs John Carpenter) as the Thing's object of desire, he's definitely on the right track. At other times, the picture is right off its trolley. - 60
The Dissolve
Swamp Thing has many dubious qualities, but it clearly isn’t a piece of product tested and polished to a blinding gleam, and the world is duller for not letting oddball efforts like this slip into theaters once in a while. - 50
The New York Times
Wes Craven's Swamp Thing wants desperately to be funny and, from time to time, it is. However, you might wish it would trust the audience to discover the humor for itself. - 50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
Deserves - to be "watched" with steam on the windshield and passion in the air. When the monster in a monster flick packs all the fearsome wallop of an overripe avocado, one needs some diversion.[8 June 1982] - 40
TV Guide Magazine
Although SWAMP THING was definitely aimed at a different audience than THE HILLS HAVE EYES, Craven fails to capture the gothic quality of its comic book inspiration--which had some genuinely frightening and grotesque moments. Instead, the whole thing is merely silly and not much fun.
