#59. Humanoids From the Deep (1980)

Directed By: Barbara Peeters

Starring: Doug McClure, Ann Turkel, Vic Morrow




Tag line: "From the Ocean Depths They Strike ... To Terrorize ... To Mate ... And To Kill!"

Trivia:  One scene of the Humanoids attacking a victim was shot when the temperature was cold enough to turn the actress's lips blue

The Roger Corman-produced 1980 horror fest Humanoids from the Deep is  shabby, and more than a little rough around the edges, but I really get a kick out of it!

All hell has broken loose in the normally peaceful fishing village of Noyo, where a mysterious rash of violence is paralyzing the community. Long-time resident Jim Hill (Doug McClure) sets out to investigate the cause, while the town’s most prestigious businessman, Hank Slattery (Vic Morrow) lays the blame for the recent bloodshed at the feet of the local Native American population, including Hill’s good friend, Johnny Eagle (Anthony Penya). 

Unbeknownst to them all, the true source of the hysteria is a group of mutated sea monsters, which have massed in the nearby river system. But these creatures, the result of a failed scientific experiment, are interested in a lot more than simple destruction; they’re after the female population of Noyo, not to kill, but to use as mates!

Now, this synopsis, particularly the horny humanoids slant, may cause a few eyes to roll. I agree it's perplexing, to say the least, yet it's just one of several aspects of Humanoids from the Deep that I have a hard time explaining. 

For instance, I don't know why the humanoid creatures are powerful enough to savagely maul every guy they get their hands on, yet at the same time dainty enough to remove a buxom young girl’s bikini top without inflicting so much as a scratch. 

For that matter, I’m baffled by the entire female population of this town, most of whom look as if they’ve jumped off the pages of Playboy (I’ve visited a few fishing villages over the years, and would have never left had I seen women this beautiful). 

Finally, I’m at a complete loss as to how these bulky, seaweed-laden sea monsters can mate with human women. The mere physics of it sets my mind to spinning! 

But, you know what? I don’t want to explain it, and neither will you. When watching Humanoids from the Deep, all you’ll want to do is sit back…and scream…and smile. 

The movie comes by its screams honestly. Despite its low budget and the general tackiness of the creatures (I swear there are times when you can see the zippers in the back of the suits), Humanoids from the Deep does manage to generate its fair share of spine-tingling moments. Corman himself commented how surprised he was at the movie’s preview, where audience members screamed uncontrollably throughout the entire picture (especially during the film’s shocking finale). 

But then, why wouldn’t they?

Cheesiness be damned… Humanoids from the Deep is flat-out fun!