The Flood (2023) is a creature-feature action thriller set in hurricane-battered Louisiana. The story unfolds as a group of in-transit prisoners and their guards are forced to seek shelter in a rural police station when a massive storm—Hurricane Gustavo—hits. Unbeknownst to them, the rising floodwaters have allowed a horde of giant, hungry alligators to invade the building. As the hurricane intensifies, the unlikely group—cops, criminals, and mercenaries—must set aside their differences to survive both the storm and the relentless predators. The film’s key themes include survival against nature, uneasy alliances, and the unpredictability of disaster, with the unique aspect of blending a jailbreak narrative with a creature attack in a single-location siege
Notable Elements
- Performances: Nicky Whelan stands out as Sheriff Jo Newman, a determined leader who asserts her authority despite being underestimated by her team. Casper Van Dien brings charisma as the notorious prisoner Russell Cody, and the ensemble cast delivers energetic, if archetypal, performances5.
- Action and Suspense: The film is packed with tense sequences as characters navigate rising waters and alligator attacks. The claustrophobic setting of the police station heightens the suspense, though the pacing sometimes lags.
- Creature Effects: While the alligators are the main draw, budget constraints limit their realism and screen time, making some attack scenes less impactful than intended.
- Homages and References: The script is peppered with nods to genre classics like Crawl, Con Air, and Assault on Precinct 13, blending jailbreak, disaster, and animal-attack tropes.
Themes and Messages
- Survival and Cooperation: The narrative emphasizes the need for cooperation between enemies when faced with a greater threat, reflecting on human adaptability and the thin line between order and chaos.
- Nature’s Fury: The film underscores the unpredictability and power of natural disasters, using the hurricane and alligators as metaphors for uncontrollable external forces.
- Redemption and Leadership: Sheriff Newman’s arc highlights themes of leadership, resilience, and the possibility of redemption, even for those with checkered pasts.
Personal Impressions
The Flood is a serviceable entry in the creature-feature genre, offering enough thrills for fans of animal-attack movies. While the plot is derivative and the effects are hampered by budget limitations, the film’s energy and commitment to its premise keep it entertaining. The lack of focus and underdeveloped characters make it hard to fully invest, but Nicky Whelan’s performance and the occasional burst of suspense elevate it above some of its peers.
Audience Recommendations
This film is best suited for fans of B-movie creature features, disaster thrillers, and those who enjoy high-concept, single-location action. If you liked Crawl or Hard Rain, you’ll likely find The Flood a fun, if unoriginal, diversion.
Conclusions and Ratings
The Flood (2023) delivers modest thrills and genre fun, but struggles with focus and production value. It’s a watchable, if forgettable, entry for fans of alligator horror.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Trailer on YouTube
Images:
- Sheriff Jo Newman (Nicky Whelan) leading survivors through flooded hallways.
- A tense standoff as alligators break into the police station.
- Prisoners and guards forced to cooperate as the storm and predators close in.