Reviews: Big Freaking Rat (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Comedy
Subgenres: Creatures, Rat Horror
Horror fans searching for a breakdown of Big Freaking Rat (2020) will find our review covers the plot, themes, and the shocking ending everyone talks about.
Big Freaking Rat (2020), directed by Thomas J. Churchill, attempts to bring a classic creature feature to modern audiences with a premise that is exactly what the title suggests—a giant, mutated rat terrorizing a campground. The story follows Brooks (Matthew Kosto), his uncle Ranger Coyle (Scott Engrotti), and a group of campers who find themselves trapped and hunted by a massive, bloodthirsty rodent.
Big Freaking Rat (2020) – A Creature Feature That Bites Off More Than It Can Chew
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The film leans into B-movie horror tropes, embracing cheesy dialogue, over-the-top kills, and a premise that never takes itself too seriously. Thematically, it pays homage to classic monster movies, but lacks any real depth or originality to make it stand out. Character development is minimal, with most characters serving as rat food rather than actual personalities.
Acting and Cinematography
The acting is exactly what you’d expect from a low-budget creature feature—a mix of overacting, awkward dialogue, and performances that feel more like a parody than genuine horror. Matthew Kosto does his best as the film’s reluctant hero, but the script gives him little to work with.
The film’s cinematography is uneven, with some shots competently framing the action, while others feel rushed and poorly lit. The special effects are a mix of practical props and low-budget CGI, making the titular rat more laughable than terrifying. There are some fun, gory moments, but they are hampered by choppy editing and inconsistent effects.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Thomas J. Churchill knows exactly the kind of film he’s making, embracing the ridiculousness of a killer rat movie. However, the film fails to balance horror and humor effectively, often feeling more unintentionally bad than deliberately fun.
Strengths:
- Embraces B-movie absurdity—it knows what it is and leans into the camp factor.
- Some gory kills—fans of creature horror will find a few enjoyable moments.
- Fun, ridiculous premise—mutant rat rampages always have entertainment potential.
Weaknesses:
- Cheap special effects—the rat never feels convincing or threatening.
- Lackluster pacing—long stretches of uninteresting dialogue make the film drag.
- Forgettable characters—they exist purely to be killed off in predictable fashion.
- Poor sound design—awkward audio mixing and unconvincing creature noises.
Final Verdict & Score: 3/10
Big Freaking Rat delivers exactly what its title promises, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing. While B-movie fans may find some enjoyment in its ridiculousness, the film suffers from weak effects, poor pacing, and forgettable characters. It could have been a fun, self-aware creature feature, but instead feels like an uninspired, low-effort cash grab.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Big Freaking Rat Rating Scores
- Our Score: 3/10
- Overall Score: 2.94/10
- IMDB: 2.9/10
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