Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor

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Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor
Front VHS Cover
Directed byGlenn Takajian
Written byGlenn Takajian
Produced byTed A. Bohus
Scott Morette
Ron Giannotto
Tony Grazia
StarringMatt Kulis
Patrick Barnes
Tara Leigh
CinematographyJohn Corso
Edited byJanice Keuhnelian
Music byJohn Gray
Production
companies
Movie Moguls Inc.
Petrified Films Inc.
Ted A. Bohus and Scott Morette Productions
Distributed byCMV Laservision
Trimark Pictures
Vidmark Entertainment
Release date
  • November 5, 1990 (1990-11-05)
[1] (Germany)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor, also known as The Deadly Spawn II, is an American 1990 science fiction horror film written and directed by Glenn Takajian and produced by Ted A. Bohus.[2]

Plot[edit]

An alien from outer space bites a bio-researcher on the hand and turns him into a monster. Its first victim is the guard at the laboratory he's working in. The guard's daughters are getting worried that their father hasn't called them and they go to the lab, where they meet their worst nightmare.

Cast[edit]

  • Matt Kulis as John Griffen
  • Patrick Barnes as Brian
  • Tara Leigh as Sherry Griffen
  • Dianna Flaherty as Kim Griffen
  • Katherine Romaine as Nancy Kane
  • Marcus Powell as Dr. Viallini
  • Allen Lewis Rickman as Dr. Elliot Stein
  • George G. Colucci as Dr. Michael Foster (as George Gerard)
  • Tony Gigante as Mitchell
  • Greg Sullivan as Jarrett

Production[edit]

Following on the moderate success of 1983's The Deadly Spawn, Ted A. Bohus and partner Dr. Ron Giannotto chose to surpass this success with a sequel, but the storyline evolved into something different. Having a slightly larger budget than for 'Spawn', Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor began production in an abandoned Jersey City warehouse with exterior and some interior shots in a Hackensack office building using childhood friends and New Jersey and New York City locals.[3]

Release[edit]

Home media[edit]

The producers attempted to secure a theatrical release, but the film was ultimately released straight to video by Vidmark Entertainment on December 15, 1993 after playing at festivals and film markets beginning in 1990.[4][1] Lionsgate re-released the film on October 13, 2003.[5]

Reception[edit]

TV Guide awarded the film 3/5 stars, writing, "The title may sound generic, but Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor is an unusually vivid and accomplished low-budget horror film, a science fiction chiller that stretches its budget well and whips up some solid frights."[6] The Video Graveyard gave the film a negative review, calling it "Effects-laden trash", criticizing the special effects, script, and dialogue.[7]

Further reading[edit]

  • The stop-motion filmography by Neil Pettigrew ISBN 0-7864-0446-9[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b '"Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor (1990)". tcm.com. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  2. ^ Lentz, Harris M. (2000). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Filmography (2, revised ed.). McFarland. p. 2227. ISBN 9780786409518.
  3. ^ Parisi, Albert J. (June 23, 1991). "Monster Movies: Humans Always Win". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  4. ^ Scapperotti, Dan (March 1989). "Deadly spawn II: metamorphosis". Cinefantastique. p. 16. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor (1990) - Glenn Takakjian". Allmovie.com. AllMovie. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings". TV Guide.com. TV Guide. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  7. ^ "The Video Graveyard: Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor". The Video Graveyard.com. Video Graveyard. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  8. ^ Pettigrew, Neil (1999). The stop-motion filmography: a critical guide to 297 features using puppet animation. 1999 (illustrated ed.). McFarland. p. 446. ISBN 9780786404469.

External links[edit]