Cooties

Synopsis

Cooties is a unique horror-comedy film released in 2014 that takes a playful yet chilling look at what happens when a mysterious virus infects the children of a small town, turning them into ravenous, flesh-eating creatures. The story follows a group of teachers, led by the earnest and somewhat bumbling Elijah Wood, who must band together to survive the onslaught of their own students. As the teachers navigate the chaos and hilarity, they soon realize that their worst fears often come from within the school walls. Packed with dark humor, Cooties explores themes of childhood fears and adult vulnerabilities in a frenetic ambiance. With quirky characters and plenty of zombie-inspired antics, the film delivers a refreshing twist on the genre while remaining lighthearted enough for comedic relief. The movie merges sharp wit with gruesome horror elements, making it a unique addition to the zombie flick arsenal.

Cast

• 

  Elijah Wood

  Clint

• 

  Alison Pill

  Lucy

• 

  Rainn Wilson

  Wade

• 

  Jack McBrayer

  Tracy

• 

  Nasim Pedrad

  Rebekkah

• 

  Leigh Whannell

  Doug

Reviews

Cooties has garnered a mixed bag of reviews since its release, showcasing both praise and criticism. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 46%, which suggests a polarized reception among critics. ‘Cooties features a promising premise that unfortunately falters under its own weight,’ remarked a critic from The Hollywood Reporter, echoing the sentiments of many who felt the execution fell short of its ambitions. It enjoys a slightly more favorable rating of 5.7/10 on IMDb, where users appreciated its humor more than critics did. Metacritic reflects this divide, tallying a score of 49 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. 'When it hits, it evokes uproarious laughter, but when it flops, it hits hard,' noted a review from Variety. The performances of the ensemble cast, including Wood and Rainn Wilson, were highlighted as strong points, but many critics noted that the movie failed to maintain its momentum. A review from Indiewire described it as a 'delightful romp that is occasionally bogged down by clichéd horror motifs.' Overall, while Cooties has its moments of brilliance, its reception reveals that it may not resonate with all audiences.