The Flood 2023 A Survival Thriller with a Splash of Alligators

It’s flood season in Louisiana, and a hurricane forces some alligators into regions they usually don’t frequent. The Flood sets itself up as a survival thriller, blending a busload of prisoners, a few unlucky guards, and the remaining townsfolk in a fight for their lives against nature and each other.

Plot Breakdown

Brandon Slagle directed The Flood. He also directed Frost, a baffling film that memorably used soap suds for snow. The Flood struggles to pack the punch expected of a creature feature. Co-writers Josh Ridgeway (Section Eight) and Chad Law (6 Bullets) ensure that viewers are well-acquainted with the jailbirds’ criminal pasts, thanks to repeated flashcards detailing their crimes and sentences. The prisoners find themselves stranded in a swampy, hurricane-ravaged town rather than safely behind federal prison walls.

Meanwhile, a group of opportunistic criminals gathers weapons and resources, planning to take full advantage of the chaos to free at least one of their incarcerated allies. This subplot feels slightly undercooked but adds some variety to the otherwise straightforward storyline.

Production Value and Creature Feature Flair

The trailer for The Flood proudly touts the involvement of distributors like Saban Films, Lionsgate, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, and Altitude Film Sales. However, the opening scenes quickly reveal this isn’t a high-budget production. The true barometer of its production value lies within Hillin Entertainment’s catalog, which includes titles like Maneater, The Coven, and Auteur. The film’s modest budget is apparent, but it does enough to deliver the essentials of a creature feature.

The CGI alligators make frequent appearances, offering a fair balance to the slower-paced narrative. Gore is minimal, with most of the violence occurring off-screen, but sound effects help sell the gnashing and stalking of the predators. The size and scale of the alligators fluctuate noticeably, which is typical of mid-tier creature features. Occasionally, they’re convincing; other times, not so much.

Performances and Accents

The cast features several familiar faces. Nicky Whelan plays the local sheriff, while Casper Van Dien (Mad Heidi), Louis Mandylor (Rambo: Last Blood), and Devanny Pinn (Piranha 3D) round out the ensemble. Performances are largely solid, though some of the accents feel forced and inconsistent. The dialogue, while mostly filler, is mercifully sparse, avoiding the pitfalls of over-explaining the already simple plot. The repetition of the prisoners’ rap sheets feels excessive. Inside the police station, one scene rehashes what viewers already learned earlier.

A Mixed Bag of Thrills

While The Flood does deliver moments of tension, it’s bogged down by pacing issues. A fight scene midway through feels especially out of place and overstays its welcome. Additionally, the script lacks basic disaster awareness. The characters, and sometimes the filmmakers, seem unaware of Louisiana’s well-documented history of hurricanes and flooding. The police station, where much of the action takes place, is laughably ill-prepared for a storm of this magnitude.

That said, the film does manage to maintain some entertainment value. The alligators appear often enough to keep the audience engaged, and their attacks, though tame, offer a few satisfying moments. The film features modest gore and relies on sound effects instead of visual shocks. This approach makes it a passable entry in the genre for less-demanding fans of creature features.

Final Verdict

The Flood is an uneven survival thriller that manages to stay afloat thanks to its steady, if unremarkable, performances and regular doses of alligator action. It lacks the polish and thrills of higher-budget films. However, it’s a serviceable watch for those in the mood for a low-stakes creature feature.

The Flood is rated

2.5 “I’ve just been swimming but now I’m dry” out of 5

Production Information

Director: Brandon Slagle (Frost)
Writers: Josh Ridgeway (Section Eight), Chad Law (6 Bullets)
Cast: Nicky Whelan, Casper Van Dien (Mad Heidi), Louis Mandylor (Rambo: Last Blood), Devanny Pinn (Piranha 3D)
Distributors: Saban Films, Lionsgate, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Altitude Film Sales

If you’re looking for more creature feature fun, check out Vermines. You can also try Sting for a spider-filled twist. Alternatively, The Yorkie Werewolf is a horror comedy that is worth your time.