‘There is no greater wrath than a woman’s sting’
The Wasp Woman is a 1995 American cable television sci-fi horror film directed by Jim Wynorski (CobraGator; Sorceress; Chopping Mall; et al) from a screenplay by Daniella Purcell (Burial of the Rats; Dracula Rising) and Guy Prevost (Dinoshark), based on executive producer Roger Corman’s 1959 original film of the same name.
This was one of the New Horizons remakes, such as Piranha and Humanoids from the Deep, that Corman made for cable channel Showtime.
The film stars Jennifer Rubin (Little Witches; Screamers; Bad Dreams), Doug Wert (Dracula Rising), Daniel J. Travanti and Gerrit Graham (Child’s Play 2; TerrorVision). Forbidden Beauty is an alternate title.
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Plot:
Janice Starlin (Jennifer Rubin) is a successful model who has built up her own cosmetics company. She has always modelled for her own company’s advertisements, but now that she is in her forties, investors are advising her to step aside in favour of a younger model.
In desperation, she consults a scientist working on a new youth serum based on wasp hormones. Eager for any possible treatment, Janice agrees to be the first human test subject.
At first, the results seem miraculous: she looks like a 25-year-old. As time goes on, however, the terrible side effects of the drug become all too apparent…
Reviews:
“Outside of the godawful morphing effects, the practical wasp-monster effects are enjoyable for their B-movie chutzpah, and the supporting cast (Gerrit Graham, Jay Richardson, the smokin’ hot Melissa Brasselle) all know exactly what kind of movie they’re in and perform their duties with zeal. Not a complete waste of time.” Aaron Christensen, Horror 101 with Dr. A.C.
“Director Jim Wynorski makes movies fast and cheap and this one’s no exception. The more you see of the silly makeup, the less effective it is.” Mike Mayo, Videohound’s Horror Show
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“The main problem in this outing is the visuals. Poor wasp-swarming animation, repetitive and unconvincing sound effects, incredibly pitiful computer graphics for unobscured transformations, and a tremendous, rubbery wasp costume are but a few of the amateurish approaches to what could have been a moderately entertaining monster movie.” The Massie Twins, Gone with the Twins
” …includes a fellatio scene that will have you falling down laughing. This silliness about wasp hormones turning a human into a “bee girl” was directed by Jim Wynorski with his usual lack of subtlety and his continuing penchant for bimboesque big-breasted beauties.” John Stanley, Creature Features
Special effects designer Greg Aronowitz explains how his Wasp Woman was created
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Cast and characters:
- Jennifer Rubin as Janice Starlin
- Doug Wert as Alec
- Daniel J. Travanti as Dr. Eric Zinthorp
- Melissa Brasselle as Mary Dennison
- Maria Ford as Caitlin
- Jay Richardson as John
- Gerrit Graham as Arthur Cooper
- Richard Gabai as Nick
- Johnny Williams as Wasp Collector
- Lenny Juliano as Wise Guy
Wikipedia | IMDb | Image credits: Greg Aronowitz
