Rottentail is a campy horror-comedy that delivers wild, B-movie thrills with a tongue-in-cheek twist. Directed by Brian Skiba and adapted from a graphic novel by David C. Hayes and Kevin Moyers, the story follows Peter Cotton—a meek fertility researcher—whose life spirals into chaos when a genetically altered rabbit bites him. The result? He transforms into the monstrous, half-man/half-bunny known as Rottentail, set on brutal revenge against those who tormented him in his youth.
What truly defines the tone of Rottentail is its unapologetic absurdity. The film embraces bloody gore, over-the-top humor, and deranged creature-effect makeup with enthusiastic gusto. The transformation scene at a diner—where Peter’s hand turns into a rabbit paw and bizarre bodily expulsions begin—is widely regarded as a highlight, skillfully blending shock, comedy, and uncanny visuals. The makeup and creature design effectively enhance the film’s low-budget charm.
Corin Nemec delivers a gleefully unhinged performance in dual roles: the timid Peter and the unfiltered Rottentail. His comic timing and willingness to go fully “ham” add energy to the film’s most memorable moments. Dominque Swain plays the high school crush Anna Banana, while William McNamara plays the sleazy bully-turned-preacher Jake Mulligan, both bringing a sense of sleaze and satire that suits this off-kilter story.
While Rottentail leans heavily on crowd-pleasing carnage, not all viewers were won over. Some critics noted the pacing drags in places, and the relentless vulgarity and gore may push the limits for those unaccustomed to gross-out horror comedies. Yet for fans of trashy genre fare, it’s precisely this commitment to shameless camp that makes the movie enjoyable in its own twisted way.
