---
title: "Crawl"
year: 2019
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/crawl"
fi1m_id: "crawl"
imdb_id: "tt8364368"
tmdb_id: 511987
wikidata_id: "Q56241205"
fi1m_score: 76
critics_score: 64
critics_reviews: 20
published: "2026-10-03T08:09:24.585849+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-03T08:09:37.170487+00:00"
region: "SG"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Crawl (2019)

Directed by Alexandre Aja · 1h 27m · IMDA NC16 · Horror, Thriller

## Identity

Crawl

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/crawl
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** crawl
- **IMDb ID:** tt8364368
- **TMDB ID:** 511987
- **Wikidata ID:** Q56241205
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8364368/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/511987, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56241205

**Fi1m score: 76** · Critics 64 from 20 reviews

*In a sentence:* Alligators make a strong case for postponing the family discussion

> Alexandre Aja makes a brisk, agreeably nasty survival thriller out of floodwater, alligators and a father and daughter with nowhere comfortable to stand. Kaya Scodelario makes the danger credible, though the sentimental dialogue interrupts some otherwise effective suspense.

## Synopsis

As a hurricane brings rising floodwater, Haley (Kaya Scodelario) and her father, Dave (Barry Pepper), face alligators in a confined crawlspace. Haley needs to get them both out, but the water hides what is approaching and leaves less room to move. The pair must work out what they can reach, what they can use and where an animal might be waiting. Their attempts to survive also bring their father-daughter relationship into focus, with danger allowing little space for a family discussion. Morfydd Clark plays Beth in a story centred on Haley and Dave’s struggle to escape.

## Review

*Crawl* is a good, compact creature feature that gives a simple predicament the attention it deserves. Alexandre Aja puts Haley (Kaya Scodelario) and her father, Dave (Barry Pepper), between hurricane floodwater and alligators, then makes the available space feel miserably small. There is little here that needs explaining, which makes the stretches of family explanation all the more irritating. Most of its 87 minutes are spent making the danger immediate and the next move difficult.

The crawlspace is the film’s most useful asset, because hiding from an animal is harder when there is scarcely room to turn round. Alan Gilmore’s production design gives the confined setting enough grime and obstruction to make every attempted movement look uncomfortable. We were properly tense watching Haley confront water too murky to reveal what was in it. Having to enter that water is frightening before anything attacks, and the staging allows enough time for us to consider what might be waiting.

Maxime Alexandre’s underwater photography is especially effective because it makes looking a practical problem. The water conceals distances and bodies without reducing every image to an unreadable smear, although the action becomes less easy to follow when several things demand attention at once. Elliot Greenberg keeps the cutting brisk, so a pause feels like time spent checking the surroundings rather than waiting for the film to get going. The small physical decisions are usually clearer, and more absorbing, than the larger bursts of action.

Kaya Scodelario does much of the work that the writing cannot manage. Her physical commitment makes Haley’s attempts to survive convincing even when the action asks us to accept more than we should. Barry Pepper is a useful partner, giving Dave enough conviction to keep the father-daughter scenes from feeling entirely like pauses between attacks. Their effort looks punishing, and the performances keep fear visible without making either character seem incapable of deciding what to do next.

Michael Rasmussen and Shawn Rasmussen are less persuasive when they ask the pair to talk through their relationship. The sentimental dialogue explains feelings that the actors have already made plain, and it can make a predicament requiring immediate action sound like an appointment for family counselling. The more exaggerated action also makes it harder to believe in the physical limits the cramped setting has established. These are weaknesses that interrupt our involvement, though neither takes up enough time to spoil the suspense for long.

Steffen Thum and Max Aruj’s score is less helpful than the sound of the surroundings. We do not need much musical encouragement to worry about something moving beyond sight, and the extra insistence can make an already forceful scene feel overworked. The convincing alligator effects serve the film better, allowing the animals to remain frightening when we can see them clearly. A creature feature needs to survive that moment when the source of a worrying noise becomes visible, and these reptiles withstand inspection.

Some creature features try to apologise for their own premise by making a joke of it. *Crawl* plays its danger straight, and the actors’ conviction lets us do the same, even when the action becomes unlikely. That seriousness is useful until the family speeches arrive. If alligators in floodwater sound like a good evening, the conversation is a tolerable price.

*Fi1m score 76, published 3 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards a qualified endorsement of Crawl as a brisk, suspenseful creature feature. Praise clusters around Alexandre Aja’s staging of confined spaces, rising water and alligator attacks, with several critics finding that the simple survival premise supplies enough tension to outweigh implausible action. Kaya Scodelario’s physically committed performance is a frequent strength, even among detractors, while the creature effects and underwater sequences also attract approval.

The spread is wide, however, and the father-daughter drama is a recurring point of disagreement. Several critics find it sentimental or distracting, whereas Vulture finds emotional resonance and Film Stories credits the central pairing with giving the film an emotional core. The larger divide concerns how much its efficient scares deliver: enthusiasts welcome the directness, but Variety finds the familiar shocks monotonous, and other less favourable reviews fault weak storytelling, confusing action or a shortage of invention.

## Straight answers

**Is Crawl worth watching?**

*Crawl* is worth watching if compact, tense creature features appeal, and we score it 76 out of 100. The murky floodwater, cramped setting and Kaya Scodelario’s physical commitment make the danger convincing, though sentimental family dialogue interrupts the suspense and some action stretches belief.

**How long is Crawl, and what is it rated?**

*Crawl* runs 1h 27m and is rated NC16 by the IMDA in Singapore. It is a horror and thriller film.

**Where can I watch Crawl in Singapore?**

*Crawl* is available to rent from Apple TV from S$4.98. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Crawl, and is it suitable for children?**

*Crawl* has a UK 15 certificate and is not suitable for children under 15, with frightening alligator attacks and sustained survival tension. We find the cramped space and water concealing approaching animals unsettling even before an attack; it suits older teenagers and adults comfortable with creature horror, rather than viewers seeking mild scares.

**How does Crawl compare to The Descent?**

*Crawl* is a good confined-space survival thriller, but we give [*The Descent*](https://film.one/film/the-descent) the firmer recommendation for its control of light and tension. Both make physical escape an ordeal; *Crawl* offers a brisk alligator threat interrupted by family speeches, while *The Descent* suits those prepared for cave claustrophobia and brutality.

**What should I watch after Crawl?**

After *Crawl*, try [*The Shallows*](https://film.one/film/the-shallows) (2016, Fi1m 82): Another resourceful survivor makes a small patch of water feel dangerously crowded. Then [*The Descent*](https://film.one/film/the-descent) (2005, Fi1m 85): Cramped spaces and physical effort turn each attempted escape into another ordeal; and [*The Birds*](https://film.one/film/the-birds) (1963, Fi1m 86): Familiar animals become frightening through patient staging and the collapse of ordinary safety.

### Reviews we read (20)

- **Vulture**, Angelica Jade Bastién (90/100, inferred): The critic finds Crawl a thrilling, emotionally resonant horror film, with a few shortcomings in its visuals and score. She especially praises Kaya Scodelario’s intense, memorable performance as its resourceful heroine. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2019/07/crawl-2019-review.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Anton Bitel (3/4/3): Bitel finds the film thrillingly high-concept but ultimately forgettable. He praises its claustrophobic tension and escalating creature-feature stakes. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/crawl)
- **The Guardian**, Benjamin Lee (75/100, inferred): Lee finds Crawl a solid, crowd-pleasing horror film, though its family drama and emotional performances are weak. He praises Aja’s precise, suspenseful staging and effective sound design in the confined crawlspace. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jul/12/crawl-review-alexandre-aja-horror-film)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, John DeFore (70/100, inferred): DeFore gives the film a measured endorsement as brisk, entertaining schlock, despite implausible action and risible dialogue. He singles out Kaya Scodelario’s convincing grit and terror, especially in the underwater scenes. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/crawl-1223999/)
- **The New York Times**, Jeannette Catsoulis (64/100, inferred): The review text was inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be stated reliably. No specific praise or complaint can be confirmed from the available page. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/12/movies/crawl-review.html)
- **IndieWire**, Eric Kohn (C+): Kohn finds the film an entertaining but by-the-book guilty pleasure with a simple environmental message. He praises its visual moments, especially a striking shot framing Haley between a gator’s jaws. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/crawl-review-killer-gators-1202157423/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Steven Scaife (2.5/4): The critic finds the film a fun, economical thriller that falls short of go-for-broke invention. He praises its suspenseful use of improvised tools and setups, while faulting the sentimental father-daughter drama. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/crawl-review-alexandre-aja/)
- **Evening Standard**, Demetrios Matheou (3/5): Matheou finds the film preposterous but highly satisfying and suspenseful. He praises the tension built from confined spaces and unseen threats, along with the conviction of the father-daughter leads. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/crawl-review-snappy-monster-horror-that-doesnt-stint-on-the-gore-a4219926.html)
- **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (3/5): Rothkopf presents it as a guilty-pleasure horror film. The father-and-daughter battle against alligators is the central appeal, with the hurricane also suggesting a climate-change-denial metaphor. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/crawl-1)
- **Total Film**, Matt Glasby (3/5): The review finds the film exciting and entertaining despite a script that veers between survival horror and creature-feature thrills. It praises the underwater cinematography and Kaya Scodelario’s energetic performance, while faulting some eye-roll-inducing moments. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/crawl-review-2019/)
- **Empire**, James White (40/100, inferred): White finds the film watchable but rarely thrilling, with its scares often substituting for substance. He praises Kaya Scodelario’s performance for bringing strength and occasional depth to her character. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/crawl/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Noel Murray (35/100, inferred): Murray finds the film entertaining but undermined by weak storytelling and cluttered family drama. He praises the hurricane effects and images of destruction, while criticizing the confusing visual choreography. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-crawl-review-20190711-story.html)
- **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (35/100, inferred): Gleiberman finds the thriller watchable but monotonous, with little range and a story that leans too heavily on familiar Jaws-style scares. He praises the convincing alligator effects and the film’s grimy, claustrophobic funhouse atmosphere. [Read](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/crawl-review-jaws-1203265165/)
- **Den of Geek**, Patrick Sproull (4/5): The critic calls the film an exhilarating, refreshing creature feature that delivers on its thrills. They particularly praise Kaya Scodelario’s committed, physically demanding performance. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/crawl-review-a-creature-feature-with-teeth/)
- **Paste**, Cole Henry (8.0/10): The review calls Crawl a brilliant, highly entertaining creature feature. It praises Alexandre Aja’s precise staging and the frightening, convincing alligators. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/crawl/crawl)
- **Polygon**, Petrana Radulovic (78/100, inferred): The review finds Crawl a suspenseful, entertaining survival film whose exaggerated alligator action delivers on its promises. It praises the tense sequences created by murky water and rising floodwaters, while faulting the sentimental father-daughter dialogue. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/12/20690919/crawl-movie-review/)
- **/Film**, Chris Evangelista (7 out of 10): The critic finds Crawl entertaining and brisk, though it takes its human drama too seriously and needs more gator mayhem. The creative visual compositions and Kaya Scodelario’s physical, empathetic performance stand out for praise. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/567652/crawl-review/)
- **Consequence**, Meagan Navarro (75/100, inferred): Navarro calls it an entertaining, relentlessly intense creature feature, despite familiar elements and a final act that loses steam. She praises Aja’s nerve-fraying suspense and visceral alligator attacks. [Read](https://consequence.net/2019/07/film-review-crawl/)
- **Film Stories**, Mark Harrison (75/100, inferred): The critic finds Crawl an enjoyable, well-timed creature feature with efficient thrills. They praise the performances of Kaya Scodelario and Barry Pepper, whose father-daughter pairing gives the film an emotional core. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/crawl-review/)
- **The Wrap**, William Bibbiani (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film toothless and mediocre, despite its simple premise offering some modest thrills. They single out the convincing performances by Kaya Scodelario and Barry Pepper, along with the effective CGI alligators. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/crawl-film-review-kaya-scodelario-alexandre-aja/)

## Details

- **Director:** Alexandre Aja
- **Director:** Alexandre Aja
- **Writer:** Michael Rasmussen, Shawn Rasmussen
- **Cinematography:** Maxime Alexandre
- **Editor:** Elliot Greenberg
- **Music:** Steffen Thum, Max Aruj
- **Production design:** Alan Gilmore
- **Costume design:** Momirka Bailović
- **Producer:** Sam Raimi, Craig J. Flores, Alexandre Aja
- **Cast:** Kaya Scodelario as Haley; Barry Pepper as Dave; Morfydd Clark as Beth; Ross Anderson as Wayne; Jose Palma as Pete; George Somner as Marv; Anson Boon as Stan; Ami Metcalf as Lee
- **Runtime:** 1h 27m
- **Certificate (IMDA):** NC16
- **Release (Singapore):** 11 July 2019
- **Genres:** Horror, Thriller
- **Budget:** $14 million
- **Box office:** $92 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6MLJG0RdDE

## Where to watch in Singapore

- Apple TV: rent S$4.98, hd
- Apple TV: buy S$21.98, sd

*Checked 2026-10-03.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *The Shallows* (2016), Fi1m 82: Another resourceful survivor makes a small patch of water feel dangerously crowded. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-shallows.md)
- *Black Water* (2007): Australian crocodile suspense that makes waiting in a tree feel intolerable.
- *The Host* (2006): A river creature interrupts family life, with more humour and stranger consequences.
- *The Descent* (2005), Fi1m 85: Cramped spaces and physical effort turn each attempted escape into another ordeal. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-descent.md)
- *The Birds* (1963), Fi1m 86: Familiar animals become frightening through patient staging and the collapse of ordinary safety. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-birds.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/crawl