Hungry

James Nunn's 'Hungry' offers a fresh, albeit implausible, take on the animal attack genre, pitting a group of unsuspecting tourists against a ferocious hippopotamus in the Louisiana swamplands. While the premise of a killer hippo might sound outlandish, the film largely plays it straight, focusing on survival and suspense rather than outright comedy. The narrative centres on Sistine, a young woman dealing with personal setbacks, who embarks on a swamp tour with her friend Hannah.

Their excursion takes a terrifying turn when they stray from the usual route and encounter the territorial beast. The film benefits from a surprisingly character-driven approach, with efforts made to develop the ensemble cast, ensuring the audience cares about their fates. Madison Davenport delivers a sympathetic performance as the 'final girl,' anchoring the film with her journey of survival.

The creature effects, a blend of CGI and practical effects, are effective in rendering the hippo as a convincing and menacing threat, used sparingly to build tension. While the pacing occasionally falters, with a significant portion of the runtime dedicated to character interactions and escape attempts rather than direct confrontations, the film ultimately delivers on its promise of creature feature thrills. The cinematography captures the atmospheric Louisiana bayou effectively, enhancing the sense of isolation and danger.

Despite some rote dialogue and predictable plot points, 'Hungry' succeeds as an entertaining survival thriller that offers a unique addition to the animal attack subgenre.