The film “Crabs!” by Pierce Berolzheimer, released in 2021, is set in a peaceful coastal town preparing for the annual Prom Night. As is typical for teenagers, the local youths devote themselves to the usual activities such as partying, smoking pot and gaining experience with the opposite sex.
However, the idyll of the little town is upset when a swarm of horseshoe crabs, mutated by radioactivity, overruns the village. These creatures are extremely voracious and pose a threat to the inhabitants. Amidst the chaos, creative geek Phil, played by Dylan Riley Snyder (of “Karate Chops” fame), feels called to counter the invasion with his inventions.
Phil joins forces with his friends and they decide to take up the fight against the mutated crabs. Using his engineering skills and ingenuity, Phil develops innovative devices to stand up to the creatures. Together they prepare for a heroic battle to reclaim their hometown.
While the film captures the tension and thrill of an epic confrontation between the teenagers and the mutant horseshoe crabs, it also shows the characters’ personal developments and relationships. Phil and his friends not only have to fight the alien creatures, but also come to terms with their own fears and insecurities.
“Crabs!” offers a mixture of action, comedy and teen drama. Director Pierce Berolzheimer manages to balance the threat of the crabs with the human aspects of the story. The film deals with themes such as cohesion, self-confidence and the courage to face one’s own fears.
