The so-called Summerween season has officially begun, making it the perfect time for a creature feature to help us survive these unbearable temperatures. And while the list of 2026 killer-animal movies continues to grow—with shark thrillers like CHUM, Renny Harlin’s Deep Water, and the upcoming VOD release The Bay—there’s one film that has quickly become my favorite of the season.
I was incredibly excited to dive into James Nunn’s Hungry, a one-of-a-kind creature feature about a bloodthirsty hippopotamus on the loose. What could possibly go wrong? I didn’t get the chance to experience it on the big screen, but thankfully it’s now available on VOD, and I had an absolute blast watching it.
At its core, Hungry may seem like a familiar survival thriller, but it goes far beyond the typical animal-attack formula. Set in the swamplands of Louisiana, the film immediately establishes a unique and atmospheric setting that becomes one of its greatest strengths. The story follows a diverse group of tourists embarking on a boat tour to observe alligators in their natural habitat.
The charismatic ensemble includes best friends Sistine (Madison Davenport) and Hannah (Olivia Bernstone), Grandpa Tim (Jim Meskimen), Sally (Samantha Coughlan) and her teenage son Miley (River Codack), businesswoman Dionne (Tracey Bonner), and tour guide Rodrigo (Michel Curiel). Each character is given enough personality to make them feel more than just potential victims.
Trying to get a closer look at Big Ben, the largest alligator in the area, the tour ventures off the designated route and enters a restricted part of the swamp. It doesn’t take long for them to discover that something has already hunted down the massive predator—and whatever killed it is still lurking beneath the surface.
Once the first attack occurs, the group is thrown into a desperate fight for survival, doing everything they can to stay out of the water and away from the gigantic hippo stalking them. While most of the action remains confined to the swamp, the film gradually reveals the tragic history behind the animal’s violent behavior, adding an unexpected layer to the story.
One of the film’s biggest strengths is the chemistry between its characters. Their interactions make it easy to become invested in their survival, and when the body count starts to rise, several deaths genuinely hit harder than expected because the characters still had more to offer. While Hungry doesn’t reach the outrageous gore levels of Primate, another standout creature feature from this year, it still delivers plenty of suspense and an impressive body count.
I also appreciated the decision to combine practical animatronics with CGI to bring the killer hippo to life. The blend makes the creature feel surprisingly tangible, while the swamp setting—with its dense vegetation, fallen trees, and stranded boats—creates tense, claustrophobic set pieces that keep the suspense high throughout.
Madison Davenport is a terrific lead as Sistine, bringing both charisma and determination to the role. She carries the film with confidence and vulnerability, and her performance pairs nicely with Joaquim de Almeida, whose arrival midway through the story gives the group a much-needed fighting chance.
I genuinely believe Hungry rises above the average animal-attack movie. Its pacing is a little slow during the first act, and viewers hoping for immediate hippo carnage may need to be patient, but the explosive third act more than makes up for it. This isn’t a marble-chomping hippopotamus—it’s a relentless, human flesh-chomping monster.
Hungry is now available to rent or own on VOD, and if you’re looking for a fun, suspenseful creature feature to kick off your Summerween watchlist, this one is well worth the trip into the swamp.
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