20 years after its release, it is easier to understand exactly why James Gunn’s Slither has gained such a cult following. It is films like these that always do better years after their initial release. The film might have found its target audience in 2006, but what makes it better is that now, in 2026, it has grown enough to warrant a 4K restoration and anniversary re-release in cinemas.
Written and directed by Gunn, Slither takes on elements clearly inspired by horror and thriller films of the 1980s and 90s. Even as early on as the beginning of the film, viewers can sense and feel those elements that are recognizable and reminiscent of prior cinema. Before the film itself, you can tell that even back when he first began directing, Gunn took his passion for cinema and implemented it into his works.
After an alien crash in a small American town, the population is not prepared for what is about to come. Grant (Michael Rooker) and Starla Grant (Elizabeth Banks) lives become forever changed when the alien plague begins. As all the residents turn into zombies, Starla must work together with Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion) of the police. To stop the plague before it spreads beyond the town, the pair face unfathomable challenges.
Having personally only watched Gunn’s superhero films — Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, Superman — I had no expectations going into his horror cult film. I also had no idea it was his feature length directorial debut. But boy, I now understand how his career has only grown since the release of Slither in 2006. Even his writing of the two 2000s Scooby Doo films also reminds me of the creativity within. Yes, he might have been part of the weird and whacky Movie 43, but for the most part his films since Slither have received quite a good reputation, and from what I recall, done quite well at the box office.
Watching this for my first time during its 20th anniversary year, there are several plot points and casting decisions I find quite funny. Beginning with is the fact that Gunn simply seems to have cast the same actors in his films. From Rooker and Gregg Henry being in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, to Banks working with him on Movie 43, the continual collaboration is nice to recognize. I can only briefly touch on the fact that Gunn created an entire story primarily based around an obsession with Starla Grant. While I might be over reading into this, it is quite entertaining to a viewer like me: a fan of Elizabeth Banks. It might be slightly demeaning to have an actress such as Banks be cast as the female who is fetishized during the film, but back in the early 2000s these things were bound to happen.
20 years later and Slither might indeed have its dedicated following, but that does not mean it does not have its issues. As with many films made before specific movements began, they have problems in the script or in the content. Had it been released in the 2020s, as mentioned before, some plot points would not bode well with today’s viewers. But because it is returning to cinemas 20 years later, in a 4K restoration, it makes sense that audiences can understand why things were allowed to pass. Even with its problems, I believe this re-release can give it the chance to find a new audience in the younger generation.
Not a commentary on the film itself, but more on the idea of these restorations and anniversary releases. It is when films had an audience during their original release, so much so that they warrant anniversary re-releases. It truly shows you the power of the audience in terms of how well things do during and post-cinematic runs. It is great to have been a fan of a film from release and get to watch it on the big screen again years later. But it is also great, and perhaps even better, to be intrigued by an old film and have your first time seeing it be on the big screen. This idea, I believe, applies even more for a director like Gunn. While yes, Slither might have had a following at the beginning, with Gunn becoming so popular more recently in his career, his viewers could seek out his prior works. Even those who were fans of his writing of the 2000s Scooby Doo franchise films could be interested in Slither.
Gunn sure does know how to craft a fun and comedic thriller. With a clear connection to past horror films and the stellar and well-known cast, there is no reason why a new generation could not benefit from discovering Slither. Adding to the list of great cinematic re-releases, the 4K restoration and 20th anniversary release of Slither is now playing in cinemas around the UK. For those who have seen the film, for fans of film or just horror, or even for those who are fans of Gunn and the cast, give Slither the chance and catch it on the big screen while you can.
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