Propelled by impressive practical effects, this is an oater-inflected monster movie which fully embraces its own icky absurdity and literally low culture – but the film’s hidden weapon is a strong focus on characterisation.

Tremors is the Slacker of monster movies: bemused, improvisatory, willfully low-key.

It's a zippy melodrama for small-town America and small-towners at heart: well-executed kitsch for audiences that will still be amused at the notion that the bugs are getting so big, they'll drag us all down.

"Tremors" is one of those rare entertainments that use special effects to complement -- not compete with -- the plot.