It's Alive Poster

It's Alive 1974

★ 6.0217 votes91 min📅 1974-04-26

"There's only one thing wrong with the Davis baby..."

Larry Cohen's 1974 horror-sci-fi chiller *It's Alive* follows the Davis family as they prepare for the birth of their first child—a moment that quickly spirals into terror when their newborn reveals itself to be a monstrous, bloodthirsty creature.

Director: Larry Cohen

Cast

John P. Ryan
John P. Ryan
Frank Davis
Sharon Farrell
Sharon Farrell
Lenore Davis
Andrew Duggan
Andrew Duggan
The Professor
Guy Stockwell
Guy Stockwell
Bob Clayton
James Dixon
James Dixon
Lt. Perkins
Michael Ansara
Michael Ansara
The Captain
Robert Emhardt
Robert Emhardt
The Executive
William Wellman Jr.
William Wellman Jr.
Charley
Shamus Locke
The Doctor
Nancy Burnett
Nurse

Frequently Asked Questions

What is It's Alive (1974) about?

The Davis family's joy turns to horror when their newborn baby isn't the innocent child they expected—instead, it's a ravenous monster that attacks at the slightest provocation. As the parents scramble to protect their newborn from the world it threatens, they're forced into a desperate fight for survival against their own flesh and blood.

Who directed It's Alive?

The film was directed by Larry Cohen, a filmmaker known for blending social commentary with genre thrills in movies like *Q: The Winged Serpent* and *The Stuff*.

Who stars in It's Alive?

The film features John P. Ryan as the desperate father, Sharon Farrell as his terrified wife, and Andrew Duggan, Guy Stockwell, and James Dixon in pivotal supporting roles.

Is It's Alive (1974) worth watching?

If you're a fan of slow-burn horror with a dash of social dread, *It's Alive* delivers. Cohen's direction keeps the tension high, and Ryan's performance anchors the chaos. It's not just a monster flick—it's a twisted reflection on parenthood that lingers long after the credits roll.

How long is It's Alive?

The runtime is 91 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About It's Alive (1974) — A newborn turns nightmare fuel in Larry Cohen's cult horror classic

Larry Cohen's 1974 horror-sci-fi chiller *It's Alive* follows the Davis family as they prepare for the birth of their first child—a moment that quickly spirals into terror when their newborn reveals itself to be a monstrous, bloodthirsty creature. With every unexpected noise or sudden movement sending the infant into a violent frenzy, the couple must confront the grim reality that their offspring is a lethal predator in diapers. Cohen crafts a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, blending body horror with the raw fear of parenthood gone horribly wrong.

The film's simple yet effective premise taps into primal anxieties about the unknown and the uncontrollable, amplified by John P. Ryan's gripping lead performance as a desperate father pushed to the brink. Sharon Farrell delivers a heartbreaking turn as his terrified wife, caught between maternal instinct and survival. *It's Alive* isn't just a creature feature—it's a nightmarish examination of love twisted into terror, wrapped in the sleek, unsettling aesthetics of 1970s horror.