Mutant Axolotls are the creatures in the movie The Tank (2023).
Ben and his wife Jules are in for a surprise when they inherit an abandoned coastal property that Ben's recently deceased mother never told them about. Untouched for 40 years the house looms like an eerie relic over land which includes a stunning private cove and beach. The beauty and tranquility of the place leave the family with the nagging question: why was this property kept a secret for so long? While Jules rummages through the house looking for answers, Ben goes to repair the buried water tank, not knowing that in doing so he is unleashing a long-dormant creature, fiercely protective of its environment.
- Luciane Buchanan as Jules
- Matt Whelan as Ben
- Zara Nausbaum as Reia
- Regina Hegemann as A Creature
- Jack Barry as Alec
- Holly Shervey as Linda
- Coco White as Rosie
- Mark Mitchinson as Amos Tilbury
- Jaya Beach-Robertson as Jodie
- Ascia Maybury as Merial
- Graham Vincent as Police Officer
Appearance
Mutant Axolotls resemble salamanders of immense size similar to axolotl. These ancient predators have a split lower tooth-filled jaw and a bellows-like throat.
- Jules talks to Reia about their axolotl and informs her that "he's an amphibian, like some of the oldest, baddest dinosaurs." This parallels the creatures from the tank as they have likely existed long before humans. They emerged from the ruptured fault line after the Cascadia earthquake of 1700, and they most likely date back to prehistoric times. Jules also tells Reia that axolotls breathe through their skin, which is why they are slimy. This pays off in the third act when Jules wraps her arm in cloth and soaks it in rubbing alcohol to keep the creatures off her when she goes into the tank to rescue Reia.
Powers and Abilities
Mutant Axolotls possess the following powers and abilities:
- swimming, walking, climbing
- biting, chewing, devouring
- stalking prey
- predatory skills
- habitat protection
Fate
Mutant Axolotl survive the film even though we see Jules go into the tank and killing two creatures with a pitchfork. She also shoots a creature that is trying to get into the car before driving off at the end.
Trivia
- From the way things play out, it is clear that the creatures are angry that there are people in their territory and that they intend to kill their would-be intruders.
- They emerged from the ruptured fault line after the Cascadia earthquake of 1700, most likely dating back to prehistoric times.
- The creature effects were done practically.
- Reminiscent design to the face-splitting monstrosities to the Stranger Things' Demogorgons
- The creature suit was designed to only be worn by 45kg performer, Regina Hegelmann. The suit weighed approximately 36kgs / 80lbs and when on, she had only 2% of her vision. Many of the attack scenes required her to fight underwater in near darkness and hold her breath for up to 4 minutes.
- Walkers' son, Leonardo, who was 11 at the time of filming, was the only other person able to fit into a second creature suit and performed as a creature in the end cave scene.
- Mid credit scene shows construction workers starting work on a large development, standing on The Tank
- As of right now, there are no plans for a Tank 2 film.
- Jules wraps an alcohol-soaked cloth around her arm knowing it "will burn [the creature] like acid".
Photo Gallery
_p.jpg "The Tank (2023) p.jpg (32 KB)")
