Director: Brandon Slagle
Starring: Casper Van Dien, Nicky Whelan, Louis Mandylor
Genre: Action / Horror / Creature Feature
Runtime: 91 minutes
Release Date: July 14, 2023
In the midst of a massive hurricane that devastates Louisiana, a jail transport goes awry. Floodwaters breach the penitentiary—coinciding with the release of a horde of giant, ravenous alligators. Sheriff Jo Newman (Nicky Whelan) and a cohort of federal prisoners, led by Russell Cody (Casper Van Dien), are forced into an uneasy alliance to survive the storm—and the predator onslaught.
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Entertaining Creature Premise: The concept of combining a flooded prison with aggressive ‘gators is undeniably cinematic. It recalls the survival-addiction of Crawl and the group-tension of Assault on Precinct 13
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Cast Chemistry: Van Dien and Whelan inject energy into their performances, with Van Dien’s anti-hero presence and Whelan’s stoic sheriff anchoring the film
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Nostalgic B-Movie Vibes: Fans of 80s–90s creature features may appreciate the nostalgic adrenaline and practical stunts, even though the FX are cheaply rendered .
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Poor Visual Effects: The CGI alligators are widely criticized as unnatural and distracting, pulling viewers out of suspenseful moments
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Unfocused Storytelling & Weak Writing: Critics note an incoherent plot, darkly lit cinematography, and awkward editing with too many neglected subplots
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Thin Characterization: Supporting characters feel disengaged or stereotypical, with minimal emotional stakes or development .
Rotten Tomatoes: 33% critics, 22% audience
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IGN: “Promising premise loses momentum… subpar digital effects” (3/10)
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Observer (Rex Reed): “Not dull…you won’t dare doze” (3/4) Dennis Schwartz: “Unfocused, incoherent, poorly executed”
Reddit users describe it as a “Con Air meets Crawl” hybrid—“a fun stupid action thriller” if you keep alcohol close
The Flood is a no-frills, creature-feature ride that leans heavily on its admittedly fun premise. Despite enthusiastic performances and occasional action flair, the film is weighed down by budgetary constraints, weak CGI, and sloppy story execution. If you're in the mood for a wild alligator-on-the-loose b-movie with friends and beer, it delivers mild entertainment. But don’t expect serious thrills or polished craftsmanship
