Them! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Atomic bomb? More like atomic *boom*, now we got ants the size of Buicks terrorizing the Southwest!

🍿 Them!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mysterious Beginnings in the New Mexico Desert

Police Sgt. Ben Peterson and Trooper Ed Blackburn discover a traumatized young girl wandering in the New Mexico desert. Her family’s trailer is nearby, wrecked, and her parents are missing. The scene is eerily quiet except for a strange, high-pitched chirping sound that neither officer can identify. The girl is unresponsive, only muttering ‘Them!’ when exposed to formic acid.

Unveiling the Giant Ants

FBI Agent Robert Graham joins the investigation, and a mysterious plaster print found at the scene leads them to Dr. Harold Medford, a myrmecologist (ant expert), and his daughter, Dr. Patricia Medford. At the trailer site, Dr. Pat Medford encounters a giant ant, confirming their suspicions of mutated creatures. A tense confrontation ensues, revealing the ants’ vulnerability to attacks on their antennae.

Hunting the Nest

A combined team of scientists, law enforcement, and military personnel embark on a search for the ants’ nest. They discover a massive ant colony marked by human remains, confirming the ants’ deadly nature. An attack plan is formulated to gas the nest and eliminate the threat, but they soon learn that two queen ants have escaped, setting the stage for further danger.

The Threat Spreads to Los Angeles

Evidence surfaces that one of the queen ants has migrated to Los Angeles, leading to reports of missing sugar and strange occurrences in the city’s storm drain system. The disappearance of a father and his two sons prompts a massive search. The city is put under martial law as the team races against time to find and destroy the new ant colony before it can expand.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sgt. Ben Peterson (James Whitmore): A New Mexico police sergeant who investigates the mysterious events and becomes a key figure in combating the giant ants.
• Dr. Harold Medford (Edmund Gwenn): An entomologist who identifies the giant ants and provides crucial scientific expertise to stop them.
• Dr. Patricia Medford (Joan Weldon): Dr. Medford’s daughter and a capable scientist who assists in the investigation and confronting the ants.
• Robert Graham (James Arness): An FBI agent who joins the investigation and works with the local authorities and scientists to eliminate the threat of the giant ants.
• Brig. Gen. Robert O’Brien (Onslow Stevens): The military leader who provides resources and leadership in the effort to destroy the giant ants.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ellinson Girl: “Them!” – The traumatized girl screams this word upon seeing a glass of formic acid, revealing what she saw during the attack on her family.
• Dr. Harold Medford: “We may be witnesses to a Biblical prophecy come true – ‘And there shall be destruction and darkness come upon creation, and the beasts shall reign over the earth.’” – Medford expresses his concern about the potential consequences of atomic experimentation and the rise of mutated creatures.
• Dr. Harold Medford: “When Man entered the atomic age, he opened a door into a new world. What we’ll eventually find in that new world, nobody can predict.” – This is the film’s iconic closing line, reflecting on the uncertain future following the dawn of the atomic era.
• Pat Medford: “Rather slim pickings for food, Dad. They’d turn carnivorous for lack of a habitual diet.” – Dr. Medford’s daughter foreshadows the ant’s behavior and hints they are attacking humans because their food source is gone.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $300,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,200,000
• Worldwide Gross: $2,920,000

💥 Them! Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Them!’ last night, and I gotta say, for a movie made in the 50s, it’s still pretty creepy! That sound the ants make? Gives me the shivers! I was genuinely on the edge of my seat when they were exploring the ant nest, and the ending in the sewers was surprisingly intense.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic science fiction movies”
  • “Monster movie enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in Cold War era themes”
  • “Those who enjoy suspenseful thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and monster attacks”
  • “Some scenes may be intense for younger viewers”
  • “Thematic elements related to nuclear anxieties”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A surprisingly intelligent and well-crafted monster movie that taps into post-war anxieties. The suspense is palpable, and the effects, while dated, still manage to create a sense of genuine threat. Edmund Gwenn steals the show with his quirky portrayal of Dr. Medford.
• The New York Times: “‘Them!’ succeeds in delivering a genuinely frightening experience. The black and white cinematography adds to the unsettling atmosphere, and the performances are uniformly strong. While the premise might seem silly, the execution is anything but.

Audience Reactions

The initial mystery and suspense were brilliantly executed, keeping me guessing until the ants finally appeared.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s suspenseful atmosphere and the surprisingly effective special effects for its time.

Overall Consensus: A classic monster movie that still holds up due to its suspense, strong performances, and effective use of post-war anxieties.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Special Effects)- 1955

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Originally intended to be filmed in 3D and color, the budget was cut at the last minute, resulting in a black and white production.”
• “The distinctive chirping sound of the ants was created by combining several animal sounds, including that of a tree frog, to create an unsettling effect.”
• “The flamethrowers used in the movie were standard World War II weapons and were loaned by the U.S. Army. The actors handling the weapons were World War II combat veterans, who had used them in battle, adding a layer of authenticity to the scenes.”
• “The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Special Effects, highlighting the innovative techniques used to bring the giant ants to life.”

🖥️ How to Watch Them!?

As a classic film, ‘Them!’ can be found on various platforms for rental or purchase. Check streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Availability may vary by region, so it’s best to confirm on the specific platform in your location. Used DVD copies are often available online.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Them!, you might like these similar films:

• The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953): A prehistoric creature is awakened by atomic testing and wreaks havoc, similar to the atomic mutation premise of ‘Them!’
• Godzilla (1954): Japanese monster film where nuclear testing creates a giant monster.
• Tarantula! (1955): Another giant monster movie from the same era, dealing with a giant spider.
• Aliens (1986): Features a group of humans battling a large, insectoid alien species with a hive mentality and a queen.
• Starship Troopers (1997): Humans battling against giant insect-like aliens.

🛒 Them! Related Products

• Them! (Blu-ray): Experience the classic monster movie in stunning high definition with bonus features, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. A must-have for any sci-fi collector.
• Classic Monster Movies Science Fiction Horror Film Posters Prints – Set of 4 (8×10 Inches) Glossy Wall Art Decor – Creature from The Black Lagoon – THEM! – The Day The Earth Stood Still – War of The Worlds: A collection of four high-quality prints featuring iconic posters from classic sci-fi horror films, including ‘Them!’ Perfect for decorating a home theater or office space.
• ANT-MAN: Get ready to stand guard with this ANT-MAN tee. The classic Marvel character featured on front and centered. An excellent choice for any MARVEL fan
• Them! Movie Script Screenplay – James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon: Own a piece of movie history with a reproduction of the original screenplay for ‘Them!’ A unique collectible for die-hard fans and movie buffs.

🎧 Soundtrack

Them! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Bronislau Kaper
• “The Desert” – performed by Bronislau Kaper
• “The Nest” – performed by Bronislau Kaper
• “Sewer Confrontation” – performed by Bronislau Kaper

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

They added peanuts knowing he’s allergic to them😱 #movie #series

OMG, this scene is WILD! Can you believe someone would intentionally add peanuts to food knowing the other person is allergic? Talk about drama – you HAVE to see how this plays out!

He saved them from a hidden danger… #movie #fyp

This scene gave me chills! He risks everything to save them from something they didn’t even see coming. So intense and heroic! I was on the edge of my seat watching this!

✨ Rate