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In this remake of a 1971 film, Crispin Glover (Back to the Future, River's Edge) stars as the title character, a socially misfit momma's boy with a telepathic connection to the colony of rats collecting in his basement. With his bed-ridden mother and condescending boss constantly picking at his self-esteem, it's just a matter of time before Willard snaps and sends his army of furry friends to do his bidding. But the rats are a bit like the genie out of his bottle, which complicates this straight-forward little story quite nicely. Willard sews discord into his rat army by favoring the adorable white rat, Socrates, over the very large and envious Ben. So it's a love/hate relationship between Willard and the rats, and though they may leap at the opportunity to murder for their master, they may also end up being his undoing.

Glover is amazing here, perfectly cast in a film that is seemingly tailor-made for his quirky sensibilities. The actor’s got a reputation for being a weirdo, but this is a dramatic, surprisingly moving performance. The film is also remarkable for its ability to make you feel for the rats, particularly Socrates and Ben. Willard is brilliantly directed by Glen Morgan (writer for The X-Files and Final Destination) and beautifully photographed by Robert McLachlan, with art direction and production value rarely spent on horror films like this. With a score by the late Shirley Walker and a memorable supporting performance by Full Metal Jacket‘s drill sergeant, R. Lee Ermey.