Leeches!

In the 2003 horror film Leeches!, audiences are treated to a blend of B-movie schlock and creature feature horror. Directed by David DeCoteau, the cinematic terror teeters between suspenseful scenes and scenes soaked in campy humor that have come to indelibly characterize the genre. The movie stars Matthew Twining, Josh Henderson, Stacey Nelson, and Alexandra Westmore who, among a versatile cast, provide both thrilling and comic relief amid the horror-packed film.

The plot of Leeches! unfurls at a male-dominated college, Lakecrest College, where the main characters are part of the swimming team. Matthew Twining plays the character of Jake, a well-rounded swimmer hoping to cruise towards glory in the swimming championships. Josh Henderson, on the other hand, portrays the character of Jason, a brash and athletic team jock, who is Jake's best friend. Stacey Nelson acts as the smart and supportive coach Tina, while Alexandra Westmore is Laura, a mastermind chemist who plays a seemingly benign yet pivotal role in the story.

Leeches! is a suspenseful narrative that explores the consequences of performance-enhancing drug abuse in college athletics. The movie begins with the swim team stumbling upon a stash of steroids. Jason convinces the rest of the team to take the drugs with him, promising an easy road to glory. Unbeknownst to them, these drugs don't just boost strength and endurance, but lead to a dire consequence, sparking an unforeseen series of terrifying events.

While the unsuspecting athletes unwittingly push themselves into deadly waters, their recreational escapades at the lake don't go unnoticed by the lake's aquatic residents, which are giant, blood-sucking leeches. As if the swimming team hasn't risked enough by consuming performance-enhancing drugs, they debase innocent skinny-dipping to a death-defying stunt. They dive and frolic in the lake, shedding blood enriched with steroids, which is quickly sensed and devoured by the monstrous leeches.

In a tragic twist of fate, the blood-enhanced leeches become an immediate threat to the swimmer's lives. These aren't your ordinary, harmless leeches, but distinctly frightening, gigantic versions altered by the steroids. They soon begin to stumble upon the swimmers one by one, embodying the horror of the movie.

The film then morphs into a shocking swirl of horror and suspense, intermitted with surprisingly comic moments, as the characters discover their predicament, and try to make sense of, and escape, their lurking doom. As the college sink into terror, it is a countdown to whether the swim team, who are unlikely heroes at best, can overcome their terrifying and lethal adversaries, and survive the onslaught.

Leeches! pays homage to classic B-movie horror flicks of the 1950s and 60s, echoing themes and plotlines that will resonate with any die-hard horror fan. The movie thrives in its unabashed commitment to the outlandish path it takes, amplifying the thrill and mystery through unabashedly creepy settings and, at times, darkly comedic approaches.

Despite the abundance of horror, this movie places a strong emphasis on the friendship between Jake and Jason. Their strong bond and mutual determination to protect their athletic dreams add to the film's emotional underpinnings. Laura, as a stealthy and resourceful ally, also provides much-needed levelheadedness amid the chaos. Their shared experiences and camaraderie provide a contrasting backdrop to the morbidly fascinating horror that pervades the film.

Director David DeCoteau leverages an intentionally campy tone, building tension with surprising twists and terrifying moments. The film fits snugly into the horror sub-genre of “creature-feature,” packing in elements of body horror, suspense, and the classic trope of ‘kill or be killed'. More than ensuring steady thrills, DeCoteau taps into modern anxieties surrounding performance enhancement and the drive and ruthlessness to win at all costs.

Leeches! may resonate deeper than expected with audiences who appreciate its genre-bending themes owed to its commitment to bringing horror local to a small environment. The film retains a low-budget, yet effective execution that balances gripping terror and humour in equal measure. It's a thrilling ride for lovers of horror, interspersed with charismatic performances that deliver fright, laughter, and unexpected contemplations, all splashed against the backdrop of competitive swimming and a quiet college campus. Watch Leeches! and prepare to squirm, but also to chuckle, as the campy horror spectacle unravels on your screen.