Aquarium of the Dead

Movie Trailer

Release Date
May 21, 2021

Genre
Horror, Sci-Fi

Cast & Crew

• Vivica A. Fox as Dr. Karen James
• D.C. Douglas as Earl
• Eva Ceja as Miranda Riley
• Anthony Jensen as Daniel Hanley
• Madeleine Falk as Skylar
• Erica Duke as Beth
• Brandon Lamberty as Eddie

Director
Glenn Miller

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Zoombies (2016)
• The Coed and the Zombie Stoner (2014)
• Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness (2015)

Producer
David Michael Latt, Paul Bales, David Rimawi

Writer
Marc Gottlieb, Michael Varrati

Budget
$1 million (estimated)

Production Company
The Asylum

Running Time
86 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
PG-13

Content Advisory

• Creature violence
• Mild language
• Intense sequences involving animal attacks

Movie Story
“Aquarium of the Dead” is a horror sci-fi film that falls into the category of creature features, known for its blend of campy horror, ridiculous scenarios, and over-the-top action. The film is set in an aquarium where a mysterious virus reanimates aquatic creatures, turning them into deadly zombies. As the virus spreads through the facility, the staff and visitors must band together to survive the onslaught of zombified sea life.

The story begins with Dr. Karen James (Vivica A. Fox), a marine biologist working at the Shining Sea Aquarium. During a routine procedure, an experimental serum is accidentally released into the water, bringing dead marine animals back to life with a thirst for human flesh. The once serene aquarium becomes a death trap as zombified octopuses, starfish, and even a walrus wreak havoc.

Trapped inside the aquarium, Dr. James, along with her colleagues Miranda Riley (Eva Ceja) and Daniel Hanley (Anthony Jensen), must find a way to stop the spread of the virus before it reaches the ocean, where it could potentially create a global catastrophe. The film follows their desperate fight for survival, navigating the aquarium’s various exhibits and dealing with an array of mutated sea creatures.

“Aquarium of the Dead” embraces its B-movie roots, delivering a story filled with absurdities and tongue-in-cheek humor. The film’s plot is straightforward, focusing on the thrills and spills of surviving an attack from zombie sea creatures rather than deep character development or intricate storytelling.

Special Effects
The special effects in “Aquarium of the Dead” are characteristic of low-budget horror films, relying heavily on CGI to bring the zombified marine life to life. The effects range from passable to intentionally cheesy, contributing to the campy feel of the film. The practical effects are minimal, with most of the horror deriving from CGI creatures and digital gore. Fans of B-movies and creature features will appreciate the film’s embrace of its low-budget aesthetics.

Box Office Performance
“Aquarium of the Dead” was released directly to video-on-demand platforms, typical of films produced by The Asylum, a company known for its low-budget, high-concept genre films. The movie found its audience among fans of creature features and those looking for a fun, mindless horror movie experience. Its digital release allowed it to reach viewers looking for a light-hearted horror film with a twist.

Filming Locations

• Los Angeles, California, USA

Notable Quotes

• “This isn’t just an outbreak—it’s an extinction event!” – Dr. Karen James
• “We need to contain this before it reaches the ocean… or we’re all dead.” – Miranda Riley

Behind-the-Scenes

• The film is part of The Asylum’s line of creature feature films, which includes similar titles like “Zoombies” and “Sharknado.” These films are known for their over-the-top plots and campy execution, appealing to a niche audience that enjoys B-movies and sci-fi horror.
• Vivica A. Fox, known for her roles in action and horror films, brings a level of gravitas to the otherwise tongue-in-cheek proceedings, adding to the film’s charm.

Awards

• None

Final Verdict
“Aquarium of the Dead” is a fun, campy horror movie that delivers exactly what it promises—zombified sea creatures attacking hapless humans in an enclosed environment. It’s not a film to be taken seriously, but rather one to be enjoyed for its absurdity and over-the-top action. Fans of B-movies, creature features, and low-budget horror will find “Aquarium of the Dead” to be an entertaining, if not entirely polished, addition to the genre.

IMDb Rating
3.1/10