[FrightFest 2026]: Spider Island

Christoper Smith is a fascinating figure in British horror. Arriving on the scene as part of the nastier hues of 2000s British horror, he directed a trio of fascinating works that, in 5 years, demonstrated his prowess. From the seedy London Underground-set Creep (2004) – not that one– to the delightfully nasty Severance (2006) –not that one– to the genuinely unique Triangle (2009), Smith showed he was a dab hand at different horror subgenres. It means that even as his career has diversified and often led him to TV work, it has made each return to the horror genre one worth checking out. And his latest jaunt is a nature-fights-back story with real bite. You may just want to visit Spider Island.

And what a great name it is too! A promise of what is to come, which is an island overrun with spiders that we can only hope will prove suitably bitey. And that is essentially the plot here, as a preview weekend for influencers at a tropical hotel goes awry when some particularly vicious eight-legged residents make their presences known. And the film has great fun both having individual spiders stalk their prey and also hoards of the arachnids overwhelming individuals.

A regrettable subplot following one of the influencer’s pursuits for the perfect high on the island, does feel like a relic dragged from 00s comedy, no matter the commitment from Divian Ladwa as said influencer. In fact, many of the content creators are rather forgettable and audiences will just be eager for the outbreak of the spiders to come and reduce their numbers. It also has to be said that by the film’s more frantic last act there is an absence of any locals from this fictional island.

But usually, Spider Island gets by on a nasty charm, embodied by a terrific bit of scenery chewing from an enjoyably vile Andy Nyman, who is practically royalty on the UK horror scene by now. This is not Nyman’s first film with Smith, and he has a fun reunion with fellow Severance co-star, Tim McInnerny, and these pair of familiar faces help raise this film above other, lesser animal-based horrors. Whenever Nyman is on screen the film is lifted and given a giddy charm. Rose Williams also proves a compelling centre to the film and plays off well with Anuschka Van Lent.

Spider Island will likely prove a satisfying jaunt for horror fans, with enough spiders dispatching victims to make up for narrative weaknesses. That and a scene stealing turn from Nyman and it proves a welcome return to the horror genre for Christopher Smith. 

3 Screams out of 5