🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Alexandre Aja
- Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller, Creature Feature, Survival Horror
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 27min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (98K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A swimmer and her dad have a really bad day involving some grumpy alligators during a hurricane, and someone *really* needs to call a plumber.
🍿 Crawl: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Hurricane Wendy Approaches
Haley Keller, a competitive swimmer at the University of Florida, learns that a Category 5 hurricane is about to hit her hometown. Her sister, Beth, is concerned about their estranged father, Dave, as she hasn’t been able to reach him. Despite evacuation orders, Haley decides to drive back to check on him.

Trapped in the Crawl Space
Haley finds Dave unconscious and injured in the crawl space beneath their old family home. As she tries to rescue him, they are attacked by alligators that have entered the house due to the rising floodwaters. They become trapped, and Haley must use her strength and swimming skills to survive.

Survival Against All Odds
Haley and Dave face numerous challenges as they try to escape the flooded house. They encounter more alligators, rising water levels, and debris. Haley demonstrates resilience and determination, drawing on her past experiences and her bond with her father to fight for survival.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Haley (Kaya Scodelario): A competitive swimmer, Haley defies evacuation orders during a Category 5 hurricane to save her estranged father.
- Dave (Barry Pepper): Haley’s father, Dave is gravely injured and trapped in the crawl space of his flooded family home.
- Sugar (Cso-Cso): Dave’s loyal dog, Sugar, accompanies Haley and Dave and becomes a symbol of their resilience.
- Wayne (Ross Anderson): A police officer and acquaintance of Haley’s sister, Wayne attempts to rescue Haley and Dave but becomes prey for the alligators.
- Beth (Morfydd Clark): Haley’s sister, Beth, prompts Haley to check on their father and provides a connection to their past.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dave: “You were born to do this, Haley.” – Said to Haley, reminding her of her potential and encouraging her to use her swimming skills to survive.
- Dave: “Top of the food chain, Haley.” – Tells Haley that she has to be on top of the food chain to survive.
- Haley: “I’m not leaving you.” – Haley says it to her father when he tells her to save herself.
- Dave: “Sometimes you just gotta be tougher than the storm.” – Dave tells Haley to not give up despite the odds, both in the hurricane and in life.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $13,500,000
- Domestic Gross: $39,014,193
- Worldwide Gross: $91,542,097
💥 Crawl Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, ‘Crawl’ was WAY more intense than I expected! From the moment the hurricane hits, you’re on the edge of your seat. I loved how the movie balanced the action with the emotional story between Haley and her dad. Seeing them fight together against those HUGE alligators was insane, and I definitely jumped a few times. I’m not usually a fan of creature features, but this one had me hooked. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a thrill!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of creature features”
- “Viewers who enjoy disaster movies”
- “Horror enthusiasts seeking a thrilling experience”
- “Anyone who appreciates strong female leads”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense violence”
- “Gore”
- “Animal attacks”
- “Claustrophobic environments”
- “Brief strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Crawl delivers exactly what you’d expect from a creature feature – suspenseful thrills, impressive special effects, and a satisfyingly simple story of survival. Kaya Scodelario shines as a resourceful and determined protagonist, making the movie an enjoyable ride from start to finish.
- IMDB: “A tense and exciting survival horror film with impressive creature effects and a compelling father-daughter dynamic. While the plot is straightforward, the execution is well done, offering plenty of jump scares and adrenaline-pumping moments. It’s a fun, albeit occasionally predictable, thrill ride.
- Metacritic: “Crawl is a competently made creature feature that doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but delivers solid entertainment. The movie efficiently builds tension and provides enough thrills to satisfy fans of the genre, even if it lacks originality.
Audience Reactions
The non-stop suspense and jump scares kept me glued to my seat!: Viewers praised the film’s ability to deliver constant tension and thrilling moments.
The relationship between the father and daughter made the movie more than just a monster flick.: Many enjoyed the emotional depth added by the father-daughter dynamic.
Overall Consensus: Crawl is a well-received creature feature that delivers a suspenseful and thrilling experience, blending intense action with a touching family story. It is praised for its effective jump scares, impressive special effects, and compelling performances.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The filmmakers consulted with a zoologist to ensure the alligators’ behavior was realistic, though some dramatic liberties were taken for the sake of the story.”
- “The majority of the film was shot in Belgrade, Serbia, rather than Florida, due to logistical and budgetary reasons.”
- “Director Alexandre Aja wanted to create a creature feature that felt grounded and claustrophobic, focusing on the human element of survival in a natural disaster.”
🖥️ How to Watch Crawl?
Crawl is available to rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service or online retailer for availability and pricing. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD may also be available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Crawl, you might like these similar films:
- The Shallows (2016): A lone individual battles a deadly predator (shark) in a confined, isolated setting, focusing on survival and resourcefulness.
- Alligator (1980): A creature feature about a giant alligator terrorizing a city, focusing on the suspense and horror of encountering a massive reptile.
- Deep Blue Sea (1999): Features intelligent sharks in a flooded research facility, creating a similar sense of danger and limited escape options.
- Black Water (2007): A couple and their sister are trapped in a mangrove swamp and hunted by a saltwater crocodile.
🛒 Crawl Related Products
- Funko Pop! Movies: Crawl – Haley: Collect the courageous Haley from Crawl! A must-have for horror and Funko collectors, featuring detailed design.
- Crawl (Blu-ray): Experience ‘Crawl’ in stunning high definition. Special features include behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
- Alligator Attack! Board Game: A thrilling survival board game where players must outsmart alligators to escape the flood. Cooperative gameplay for 2-4 players.
- Crawl Movie Poster: High-quality poster featuring the iconic ‘Crawl’ artwork. Perfect for decorating any horror movie fan’s room.
🎧 Soundtrack
Crawl features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Crawl was primarily filmed in Belgrade, Serbia, to create the flooded environments necessary for the story.
No, Crawl is a fictional story. However, it draws inspiration from real-life hurricane events and the presence of alligators in Florida.
While the alligators’ behavior is somewhat exaggerated for dramatic effect, the film incorporates aspects of alligator biology and behavior. However, it is important to remember that Crawl is a work of fiction and not a documentary.
The dog, Sugar, survives the events of the movie along with Haley and Dave. It is a heartwarming part of the film that the pet makes it through the ordeal.
🔥 Bonus Content
Crawl – Movie Review
Hey, check out this in-depth review of ‘Crawl’ by Chris Stuckmann. He gives a great breakdown of the film’s strengths and weaknesses. I found his insights really helpful in understanding the movie better.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.