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Grabbers was released in 2012 and garnered much praise overseas with its perfect mash of horror and comedy. While its popularity cannot be disputed, this is most certainly a film that is finding its true home amongst many popular cult films.
The film takes place in Ireland and plays very heavily on the trope that the Irish love to drink all day every day. Some may find this offensive but it is treated with enough lighthearted faire that even the most easily offended will soon forget. But honestly, if you are easily offended, why would you be interested in horror films anyway?
Grabbers follows Garda Ciarán O’Shea, an alcoholic who initially resents his new partner, Garda Lisa Nolan a workaholic who is trying to impress her bosses by volunteering for temporary duty on a remote Irish island.
However, after discovering mutilated whale corpses, the quiet community slowly realizes that they’re under attack by enormous bloodsucking tentacle creatures from the sea. They name these creatures “Grabbers.”
When Paddy, the town drunk, mysteriously survives an attack, a local marine ecologist, Dr. Smith, speculates that his high blood alcohol content proved too toxic for the Grabbers to ingest as the creatures seem to survive solely on blood and water.
O’Shea quickly contacts the mainland, but the coming storm prevents any escape or help. Nolan and O’Shea soon realize the rain will allow the remaining large grabber to move about the island freely. They decide to organize a party at the local pub intending to keep the island’s residents safe without alerting them to the danger lurking outside.
Many are initially hesitant to join in a celebration when no good reason is given, but everyone quickly agrees when the pub owner offers free drinks. O’Shea volunteers to stay sober so that he can coordinate the town’s defenses while everyone else imbibes heavily.
“Grabbers” is filled with enough horror and gore for any diehard horror fan and much of the tension is lightened by the film’s comedy. This is a monster film that seems like it shouldn’t work so well, but somehow, it does.
The comedy is perfect, the acting is strong, the horror elements are well played, and many laughs are had throughout. Not to mention the large amounts of alcohol consumed will make you want to have a few on hand while watching.
“Grabbers” is a must see film for all comedy-horror lovers and fans of SyFy monster movies, just expect something a little better then you may be used to watching.