Timeless Appeal: The Flood and the Charm of B-Movies

When it comes to schlocky B-movies, time has a funny way of being kind. What once seemed cheap and sloppy can now be seen as charmingly crude, even innocent. It’s as if these films transport us back to a simpler time, and that’s exactly the kind of experience you can expect from the new killer-gator flick, The Flood. Its best moments are reminiscent of the B-movies from 20-plus years ago, and it’s sure to capture the attention of fans of the genre.

The Flood follows a classic ’70s drive-in picture premise: a busload of dangerous criminals, each introduced with their own badass title card, is trapped in a small-town sheriff’s station in rural Louisiana. The deadly hurricane outside is relentless, raising the tension between the convicts, their handlers, and the tough-as-nails lady sheriff who runs the joint, played by Nicky Whelan.

In classic B-movie fashion, The Flood also features a posse of mercenaries in bulletproof vests who launch a daring rescue mission to free one of the prisoners, Russell Cody (Casper Van Dien). However, their motives remain unclear even after they’re explained. As if things weren’t chaotic enough, a pair of alligators find their way into the station through a vent in the roof, forcing this unlikely crew to work together to survive. How did the alligators get onto the roof? Well, sometimes it’s better not to ask too many questions in the world of B-movies.

The characters in The Flood showcase a melange of accents, ranging from an earnest Cajun dialect to a Southern drawl that blends British and Australian influences. They all speak with tough personas, spitting out dialogue with the intensity of the countless rounds fired at the thick-skinned gators throughout the film.

It’s important to note that The Flood does have its share of uncomfortable moments, particularly in its handling of certain characters and themes. There’s a clear affinity for law enforcement and the military, with one character making a passionate declaration about the death penalty for “cop killers.” Additionally, the only Black character, Jox, is portrayed as a crude stereotype. While it may be tempting to dismiss these politics in such a movie, they are worth acknowledging for their impact. The film does try to offset this through the fate of a neo-Nazi character, portrayed by prolific B-movie actor Mike Ferguson, who is fed to the gators.

The Flood is directed by Brandon Slagle, a master of B-movies known for churning out films with action and sci-fi elements. This particular production was shot mostly in Thailand, although you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell. The majority of scenes take place in bare-walled rooms that give off the impression of being constructed from wet cardboard.

When it comes to production values, The Flood does make some sacrifices. It can afford standing water but not a rain machine. Computer-generated imagery is used for the exterior shots of the sheriff’s station, presumably to save on costs. While the digital rain and floodwater are noticeable, the rest of the movie feels painfully fake – from the tattoos on the characters to the photos on the walls. The CGI alligators and blood also leave much to be desired, evoking a retro style akin to Syfy original movies from the early 2000s.

It’s precisely this retro appeal that gives The Flood its charm. The film transports audiences back to the ’90s, both in terms of the visual effects and the casting of Casper Van Dien, whose star was at its peak during that time. However, if the only enjoyable aspects of a movie are its backward elements that transport viewers to a different era, it may struggle to resonate with present-day audiences.