“Alligator” is a 1980 horror film directed by Lewis Teague (of The Dukes of Hazzard and Cat’s Eye fame) . The movie follows the story of a baby alligator flushed down the toilet by a careless pet owner who ends up in Chicago’s sewers. Over the years, the alligator survives and grows, feeding on the carcasses of animals used in illegal experiments and chemicals dumped into the sewer system.
As the alligator grows larger and more aggressive, a series of mysterious disappearances and deaths occur in the city.
A young police officer, David Madison (played by Robert Forster), becomes entangled in the investigation as he starts to suspect that the urban legend of a giant alligator lurking beneath the city might be real.
Teaming up with a herpetologist named Marisa Kendall (played by Robin Riker), Madison works to uncover the truth behind the gruesome events. As they dig deeper, they discover a sinister corporate cover-up involving illegal chemical dumping and experimental growth hormones. The alligator, now a massive and vengeful creature, embarks on a path of destruction in its quest for food and revenge.
The film escalates into a suspenseful battle between the relentless alligator and Madison as they race against time to stop the creature’s rampage before it causes further chaos and death. Filled with tension, horror, and a blend of practical effects and suspenseful storytelling, “Alligator” delivers a thrilling ride as the characters confront a terrifying urban predator resulting from man’s own reckless actions.
“Alligator” is a horror-thriller with environmental commentary. It uses the monstrous alligator to symbolize the consequences of pollution and corporate greed. The practical effects and tense atmosphere contributed to its cult status in the horror genre, which peaked during this time.
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