Ticks Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Troubled teens on a wilderness retreat discover that marijuana farmers have accidentally created giant, bloodthirsty ticks with growth hormones, leading to a hilariously gross fight for survival against both the ticks and the hilariously inept pot growers.

🍿 Ticks: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Wilderness Retreat

A group of troubled teenagers from Los Angeles joins an inner-city wilderness project, hoping to reconnect with life’s priorities. Holly Lambert and Charles Danson, the well-meaning leaders of the project, aim to guide the teens through a transformative experience in the California wilderness.

Mutated Ticks

Unbeknownst to the group, the woods they’re camping in are infested with mutated, blood-sucking ticks. Local marijuana growers have been using herbal steroids to accelerate plant growth, and a leaky system has caused the ticks to mutate into giant, aggressive creatures. These ticks pose a deadly threat to the unsuspecting campers.

Survival

As the teenagers struggle to adjust to the wild, they soon encounter the terrifying reality of the mutated ticks. They must band together and use their wits to survive the onslaught of the bloodthirsty creatures. The group faces not only the ticks but also the dangerous marijuana growers, adding another layer of threat.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tyler Burns (Seth Green): A traumatized teenager hoping to overcome his fears at a wilderness retreat, where he faces mutated ticks.
• Holly Lambert (Rosalind Allen): The social worker leading the wilderness project, trying to help troubled teens while battling monstrous ticks.
• Darrel ‘Panic’ Lumley (Alfonso Ribeiro): A tough-talking teen on the retreat who must confront the gruesome reality of the mutated ticks.
• Charles Danson (Peter Scolari): Holly’s boyfriend and fellow leader of the wilderness project who finds himself ill-equipped to handle the tick infestation.
• Sir (Barry Lynch): The ruthless marijuana grower whose use of steroids causes the ticks to mutate into deadly monsters.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Panic: “See, they call me Panic ’cause I never do. How about you?” – Panic introduces himself to Tyler, highlighting his nonchalant attitude.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Ticks Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I have to admit, ‘Ticks’ is one of those movies that’s so bad, it’s good. I remember watching it late at night and just laughing at how ridiculous it was. The special effects are cheesy, the acting is questionable, but there’s something endearing about it. I particularly loved the scene where Carlton from ‘Fresh Prince’ suddenly becomes a tough guy – it’s so out of character, it’s hilarious! And the ticks themselves are just so over-the-top gross. If you’re looking for a serious horror flick, this isn’t it. But if you want a fun, cheesy movie night with friends, ‘Ticks’ is perfect.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of B-movies”
  • “Horror enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers who enjoy creature features”
  • “Those who appreciate practical effects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “Ticks earns its place among unintentionally hilarious cult classics by delivering a schlocky, gory creature feature with over-the-top effects and a cast that seems to be in on the joke. While not high art, it’s a fun, campy ride for fans of B-movie horror.
• Nerdly: “Ticks is a prime example of 90s straight-to-video horror that delivers exactly what it promises: giant, mutated ticks attacking hapless teens. The practical effects are surprisingly good, and the film revels in its own absurdity, making it a must-see for fans of the genre.

Audience Reactions

Viewers love the over-the-top gore and cheesy special effects that make the movie a fun, campy experience.: Many appreciate the blend of horror and humor, finding the film entertaining despite its flaws.

Many point out Seth Green’s early role, finding his performance as a geeky teenager memorable.: Alfonso Ribeiro’s portrayal of a ‘tough guy’ is often cited as hilariously out of character.

Overall Consensus: Ticks is a cheesy, gory B-movie that’s so bad, it’s good. Fans of campy horror appreciate its over-the-top effects, ridiculous plot, and memorable performances from a young cast.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie was originally titled ‘Infested’.”
• “The special effects were done practically, using puppets and slime, which was common for horror films of the early 90s.”
• “Clint Howard’s scenes were filmed in one day because the producers realized they didn’t have enough quality scenes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ticks?

As a direct-to-video release, Ticks is not currently available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. You might find it available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, or Vudu. Check your preferred digital retailer for availability in your region. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also available from various online retailers, offering the best quality and potential extras.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ticks, you might like these similar films:

• Arachnophobia (1990): Features a similar theme of deadly arachnids terrorizing a community, with a blend of horror and humor.
• Slither (2006): A modern horror-comedy with a similar creature feature vibe, showcasing parasitic aliens turning people into monsters.
• Critters (1986): Another creature feature from the 80s, involving small, furry aliens that terrorize a rural community.

🛒 Ticks Related Products

• Ticks (Infested) [Blu-ray]: This limited edition Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome offers the extended cut of ‘Ticks’ with improved picture and sound quality, making it a must-have for collectors and fans of the film.
• Tick Costume: Become the mutant terror with this creepy insect themed costume.
• Ticks (Infested) Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original ‘Ticks’ movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying as a conversation starter for fans of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Baby Talks Dirty” – performed by Steve Plunkett

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ticks – Good Bad Flicks

Ever wondered if ‘Ticks’ is actually worth watching? Good Bad Flicks breaks down the movie’s strengths and weaknesses in this review. I personally found their insights pretty spot-on, you should check it out!

Teens On Camping Get Attacked By Mutant Ticks Created By Evil Pot Farmers

Need a quick rundown of what ‘Ticks’ is all about? This recap gets straight to the point, explaining the plot in under 10 minutes! It’s perfect if you’re short on time, or just want to make sure the movie is actually for you!

How Gory is TICKS?

If you’re a horror fan, you NEED to see this! ‘The Horror Geek’ dives deep into the gory effects of ‘Ticks’. Honestly, it’s more graphic than I remember. Definitely worth a watch before or after seeing the movie!

The Best Of Ticks

Intrigued about the 1993 movie Ticks? Take a quick look at the best bits of this film, this short compilation provides a snippet of what’s in store for you.

✨ Rate