If your film has something to do with an animal attempting to munch on people, it will inevitably be compared to Jaws. And why wouldn’t it? Jaws is a unique cinematic achievement, combining an effortlessly propulsive script with great performances, cinematography, music, and direction from Steven Spielberg that is at once tense and sweeping. Few “animal attack” films since have broken from that mold or established a reason for existing beyond “Jaws, but with a (insert animal here) this time.”
Arachnophobia can be counted among the handful that have their own unique identity. That’s surprising, considering it was directed by Frank Marshall, longtime Spielberg producer and collaborator. Spielberg himself even played a part in its production. But it isn’t interested in recreating the effectiveness of Jaws, instead opting for a whole different kind of thrill.
