4 stars, a great restoration of a gloriously gruesome cult body horror.
From the fertile and indeed disturbing imagination of James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad) comes this 2006 small town America comedy sci-fi body horror, which was his incredible feature directorial debut.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release, it has enjoyed a 4K restoration and is available to own in the UK on Special Edition 4K SteelBook and Blu-ray from 1st June 2026, courtesy of Vision Home Video and Vertigo Releasing.
“Hey, don’t you f*** with me Bill, your post here as chief is in dire straits. Nobody wants to go hunting in a town with a pet murdering kidnapper in.”
In the small town of Wheelsy, two law enforcement officers, Bill (Nathan Fillion – Firefly (TV Series), Castle (TV Series)) and Wally (Don Thompson – Watchmen, Passengers) have nothing better to do with their evening than measure the speed of a Whippoorwill in flight. Local mayor Jack McCready (Gregg Henry – Raising Cain, Payback) is on everybody’s backs as the hunting season is about to start. 
Unknown to them, however, in the woods just outside town, a meteor has crashed to Earth and things are about to get real.
Meanwhile, local teacher Starla Grant (Elizabeth Banks – Little Accidents, The Hunger Games) and her husband Grant Grant (Michael Rooker – The Dark Half, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), are having marital issues. Following an argument, Grant goes to a bar, where he meets an old acquaintance Brenda (Brenda James – Man About Town). 
The pair get drunk and head off to the woods and although he decides not to cheat on Starla, they investigate a strange sac that came from the meteor and something nasty squirms inside Grant.
As he begins to act increasingly strangely, hoarding meat and killing local pets, Bill and his team start to realise that something is seriously wrong and possibly extraterrestrial is going on in their town. Can they work out what is going on before the rest of the town goes the same way?
“Gather some folks together . I think I know where Dr. Doolittle’s going to strike next.”
Slither is a fantastic film, which stands up just as well today as it did when it was made. The practical effects are gloriously gruesome and extremely slimy, and have thoroughly benefited from this 4K restoration, making everything super crispy and as good looking as it could be.
The film has plenty of blood and guts to satisfy gore hounds, but is also very tongue in cheek, never taking itself too seriously and is downright hilarious in places. 
The slug like aliens and resulting zombies are enough to gross out even hardened horror fans. It strikes the perfect balance between horror, comedy and sci-fi and makes for an excellent watch.
With lots of special features, this great looking SteelBook will grace any 4K collection.
“It tried to get in my mouth! What kind of thing wants you to eat it?!”
Slither will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a limited theatrical release from 10th April, a 4K Digital release from 1st May, and Special Edition Steelbook from 18th May
Extras:
UK exclusive artwork, plus collectible poster
The Genesis Of Slither – Interview With Writer/Director James Gunn
We’ve Got Worms – Interview With Director of Photography Gregory Middleton
Feed The Fear – Interview With Editor John Axelrad
Just A Bee Sting – Interview With Special Make-up Effects Designer Todd Masters
What’s Gotten Into You – Interview With Composer Tyler
The Sick Minds And Slimy Days Of Slither – Featurette
Bringing Slither’s Creatures To Life – Featurette
Slithery Set Tour With Actor Nathan Fillion
Deleted And Extended Scenes
Bloopers
| Director | James Gunn |
| Genre | Comedy, horror, sci-fi |
| Starring | Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Rooker, Gregg Henry |