★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended
(Alternate Reality Horror) Fifty years later, the giant ants are more of a nuisance than anything, but lately there seem to be more than usual, and Kara thinks there’s a pattern to it. (4,009 words; Time: 13m)
This story assumes you have already seen the 1954 movie “Them.”
"Doomed Youth," by Fiona Moore [bio] (edited by Andy Cox), appeared in Interzone issue 278, published on November 15, 2018 by TTA Press.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2018.674 (A Word for Authors)
Pro: The conceit of the story seems to be that events of the movie “Them!” really happened and now it picks up fifty years later, in the present day.
Lots of quotes from the movie turn up in the story, so there’s definitely a reward for having watched it. Their meaning is all twisted around, though.
Con: The attempt to make a statement about xenophobia eclipses the story.
The ending, where the ant lady starts a fire, but the police blame Kara and no one stands up for her, is abrupt and unsatisfying.
Likewise, the connection with the movie is very tenuous; these ants are about as menacing as mosquitoes.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 278)
Fiona Moore Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Pro: The conceit of the story seems to be that events of the movie “Them!” really happened and now it picks up fifty years later, in the present day.
Lots of quotes from the movie turn up in the story, so there’s definitely a reward for having watched it. Their meaning is all twisted around, though.
Con: The attempt to make a statement about xenophobia eclipses the story.
The ending, where the ant lady starts a fire, but the police blame Kara and no one stands up for her, is abrupt and unsatisfying.
Likewise, the connection with the movie is very tenuous; these ants are about as menacing as mosquitoes.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 278)
Fiona Moore Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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