Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Boa vs. Python

Boa vs. Python is a 2004 American made-for-television directed by David Flores and written by Chase Parker and Sam Wells. It stars as Dr. Emmett, a herpetologist, alongside as Monica, and as FBI Agent Sharpe. Produced by Nu Image/Millennium Films for the Sci Fi Channel, the film premiered in the United States on May 22, 2004. The plot follows an enormous genetically altered that escapes during transport and begins terrorizing , prompting the FBI to enlist a who releases a bioengineered giant to hunt it down. Filmed in , , the movie features computer-generated effects for the snakes and received mixed reviews for its B-movie style and creature feature elements.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

The film opens with a match in Atlantic City between two masked fighters billed as "Boa" and "Python," establishing a thematic foreshadowing of the serpentine rivalry to come. Meanwhile, in , wealthy event promoter Broddick oversees the arrival of a massive cargo from : an 80-foot intended for a exclusive, high-stakes hunt organized for his elite clientele of big-game enthusiasts. During its transport by truck, the python awakens prematurely, slaughters the handlers including overseer Ramon, and escapes into the nearby wilderness, heading toward the urban sprawl of . As reports of brutal killings emerge, FBI agent Alan Sharpe arrives to investigate the carnage, tracing the attacks to the python lurking in the city's sewers and water treatment facilities. Sharpe, recognizing the creature's unnatural size and aggression, recruits herpetologist Dr. Steven Emmett, an expert in large constrictors, and marine biologist Monica Bonds, who specializes in tracking aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Together, they devise a bold plan inspired by natural territorial instincts: releasing a genetically enhanced 70-foot scarlet boa constrictor named Betty, which Emmett has been breeding in captivity for research. Bonds surgically implants a tracking device and an experimental 80,000-volt electric shock mechanism into Betty before the team unleashes her at the water treatment plant to pursue and engage the python. Broddick, undeterred by the escape, rallies his group of armed hunters—including sharpshooters Tex, Foley, and Danner—to join the fray for sport, complicating the official efforts. The rampages through , claiming multiple victims in a series of tense chases and ambushes. It first strikes a pair of teenagers in a secluded spot, devouring them whole, then slays investigative reporter Kent Humphries who stumbles upon its trail. Further atrocities unfold in an abandoned factory where workers are crushed and swallowed, and a crowded where panicked patrons are trapped amid the chaos as the snake coils through the shadows, killing Broddick's companion after she unwittingly damages one of Betty's eggs. Betty, initially docile and focused on her , becomes fiercely protective and vengeful, eliminating interfering hunters and soldiers in the crossfire, including Foley who mistakenly shoots Sharpe. The and clash repeatedly, their battles escalating from the nightclub's strobe-lit frenzy to the dark, echoing system, where human interlopers like Broddick and his remaining hunters meet grisly ends by . In the climactic confrontation deep within the subway tunnels, and the engage in a brutal, prolonged fight, thrashing through and endangering a passing . Emmett remotely activates Betty's electric to stun her momentarily and create an opening, allowing the to be severed in half by the oncoming , securing the boa's ultimate victory. With the defeated, retreats to her nest at the plant, safeguarding her surviving eggs. Sharpe succumbs to his wounds, while Emmett and Bonds, reflecting on the ordeal, prepare to recapture for Emmett's lab, pondering the implications of their engineered predator.

Cast

The principal cast of Boa vs. Python (2004) consists of actors playing key figures involved in the confrontation between the escaped giant and the controlled . stars as Dr. Steven Emmett, the herpetologist who owns and controls the giant used to counter the python threat. Jaime Bergman portrays Monica Bonds, the marine biologist assisting in the snake hunt through her expertise in tracking and animal behavior. plays Agent Alan Sharpe, the FBI agent leading the response to the python's rampage. Adam Kendrick appears as Broddick, the wealthy event promoter responsible for importing the massive python for a high-stakes hunt. Angel Boris is cast as , Broddick's associate involved in the hunting scheme. In supporting roles, the film also features minor characters as victims, authorities, and additional personnel, including the hunters (Harry Anichkin), Foley (Atanas Srebrev), and Danner ( R. Sheffey).

Production

Development

The script for Boa vs. Python was written by and Wells, serving as a crossover between the 2000 Sci-Fi Channel Python and the 2002 film (also known as New Alcatraz), both of which featured genetically engineered giant serpents terrorizing humans. This concept pitted the titular creatures against each other in a scenario, drawing from the established lore of the prior entries to create a direct confrontation. David Flores directed the film in his feature debut, bringing a focus on practical effects combined with early for the snake sequences. Producers Jeffrey Beach and oversaw the project under UFO International, targeting it as a low-budget original for the Sci-Fi Channel with an emphasis on fast-paced elements to appeal to the network's audience. The idea of opposing giant snakes stemmed from the popularity of creature feature trends in early TV movies, such as those involving oversized animals in confined, high-stakes environments, which had proven successful for Sci-Fi Channel programming. Development progressed rapidly, with the script completed around 2003 and the project greenlit shortly thereafter to capitalize on the enduring interest in the horror genre following hits like Anaconda (1997). No official budget was disclosed, but estimates place it under $1.2 million, aligning with typical costs for Sci-Fi Channel originals of the era that relied on economical storytelling and effects. To further control expenses, the production team opted to film abroad in , a common choice for low-budget genre films seeking affordable locations and crews without compromising the urban and wilderness settings needed for the snake pursuit .

Filming

Principal photography for Boa vs. Python took place primarily in , , during 2003, where local studios and urban sets were utilized to depict the film's setting, including its and systems. The production spanned a runtime of 92 minutes and was captured on 35mm film by cinematographer , who handled the visual framing of the action sequences amid the constrained environments. The film's creature effects relied on a mix of , computer-generated imagery (), and practical models to bring the 80-foot genetically altered and 70-foot bioengineered to life, with the snakes depicted in intense confrontations. Production challenges arose from coordinating these large-scale snake battles within confined spaces like sewers and , compounded by the limited budget that resulted in noticeable seams and imperfections in the effects work. The original score was composed by , featuring tense, pulsating cues that heightened suspense during the chase and battle scenes involving the serpents. , including the editing of the climactic fights, was managed by editor Ayton Davis and a team that integrated the with the live-action footage.

Release

Broadcast Premiere

"Boa vs. Python" had its world premiere on the Sci-Fi Channel (now ) on May 22, 2004, as a Saturday night original movie. The film aired at 9:00 PM ET/PT, fitting into the network's established lineup of creature feature programming. Lacking a theatrical release, the movie was promoted via trailers that emphasized the epic confrontation between the genetically enhanced giant snakes, capitalizing on the popularity of the prior "" and "" films as a crossover event. Initial viewership reached approximately 2 million households, consistent with the routine performance of Sci-Fi Channel original movies during their debut broadcasts at the time. Following its U.S. debut, "Boa vs. Python" received international broadcasts starting in 2005 on channels including Space in Canada and Sci Fi Europe, expanding the film's reach to global audiences interested in sci-fi horror.

Home Media

The film was released on DVD by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment on August 24, 2004, in Region 1, presented in widescreen format with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio but no substantial special features beyond trailers. Subsequent releases included bundling in multi-film packs, such as the Night of Terror Collection with titles like Chupacabra Terror, Frankenfish, and . No Blu-ray edition has been produced, attributable to the limitations of the original film's production quality. In the , Boa vs. Python entered , appearing on streaming services including and . As of 2025, it remains available on free ad-supported platforms such as and . International versions followed shortly after the U.S. debut, with VHS and DVD editions distributed in and Australia by 2005, typically featuring subtitles in languages like Spanish, Italian, and local variants. As a production, the film lacks official theatrical records.

Reception

Critical Response

"Boa vs. Python" received negative reviews from the limited number of critics who assessed it, with only 2 professional reviews on resulting in no Tomatometer score yet; the audience score stands at 28% based on over 5,000 ratings. Reviewers frequently lambasted the film's technical shortcomings, including unconvincing for the snakes and subpar that rendered the creatures unthreatening and poorly integrated into scenes. The acting was described as wooden, with performances hampered by a clichéd that prioritized unnecessary character backstories over monster action. David Nusair of Reel Film criticized the movie for devoting excessive time to human drama at the expense of the promised snake confrontation, rating it 1.5 out of 5 stars and noting a lack of scares due to offscreen kills and predictable plotting. Similarly, Moria Reviews deemed it one of the worst films of , highlighting ridiculous , gratuitous , and cheap effects that undermined any . Despite the predominant negativity, a few critics found merit in the film's absurd high-concept premise as mindless entertainment. Jennie Kermode of Eye for Film acknowledged its entertaining pace and imaginative set pieces, though she faulted the lazy in action sequences and awarded it only half a star. The movie garnered no major awards or nominations and is typically categorized alongside other low-budget Sci-Fi Channel original .

Audience Reaction

Boa vs. Python has garnered a mixed response, proving particularly popular among B-movie enthusiasts for its campy humor and over-the-top snake fight sequences, which many viewers enjoy ironically as a quintessential "so-bad-it's-good" creature feature. Online discussions often celebrate the film's absurd premise and low-budget charm, with user ratings reflecting this divide; on , it holds an average of 2.9 out of 10 from over 4,300 votes, underscoring its appeal in niche bad-movie circles rather than mainstream praise. The movie's viewership legacy endures through late-night TV reruns on channels like and availability on streaming platforms such as , where it continues to attract repeat watches. Clips of the climactic snake battle have amassed hundreds of thousands of views on , contributing to its ongoing online traction as of 2025. Culturally, Boa vs. Python occasionally appears in compilations of the worst monster movies, cementing its niche status among horror communities without spawning widespread memes or broader pop culture references. Its home media releases on DVD have supported this modest , with fans particularly noting Hewlett's early performance as the herpetologist Emmett, predating his fame in .

References

  1. [1]
    Evolutionary trajectories of snake genes and genomes revealed by ...
    Oct 6, 2016 · Pythons and boas possess homomorphic sex chromosomes, which is assumed to be the ancestral state; the lack of differentiation between the W and ...
  2. [2]
    Boa Constrictors Get a Feel for Their Prey - Smithsonian Magazine
    Jan 30, 2012 · Pythons are found in the Old World (Africa and Asia) as well as Australia. Boas (family Boidae) are found in the New World (North, Central and ...Missing: vs comparison
  3. [3]
    Injurious Wildlife Species; Listing the Boa Constrictor, Four Python ...
    Mar 12, 2010 · The reticulated python is most likely the world's longest snake (Reed and Rodda 2009). Adults can grow to a length of more than 8.7 m (28.5 ft).Missing: vs | Show results with:vs
  4. [4]
    A Guide to Differentiating between Non-Native and Native Snakes
    Sep 23, 2021 · The Burmese python, Northern African python, and boa constrictor are ... Ball python (Python regius) from South Florida. Credit: Jenna ...<|separator|>
  5. [5]
    Boa Constrictor - Florida Museum of Natural History
    Sep 23, 2022 · Most adult Boa Constrictors are about 10-16 feet (3-5 m) in total length. These are very large, stout-bodied snakes with dark brown hourglass-shaped saddles ...Missing: vs | Show results with:vs
  6. [6]
    Boa vs python | Horror Wiki | Fandom
    Boa vs python ... In a bizarre example of foreshadowing, the film opens with a pro-wrestling bout. Two masked wrestlers, one named "Boa" the other "Python", are ...Missing: 2004 plot summary
  7. [7]
    Boa vs Python (2004) - Moria Reviews
    Jun 24, 2007 · Wealthy event promoter Broddick is having a giant 100-foot long python transported so that his elite clientele can pursue it in the special hunts that he sets ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  8. [8]
    Boa vs. Python (Video 2004) - Plot - IMDb
    After an overly ambitious businessman transports an 80-foot python to the United States, the beast escapes and starts to leave behind a trail of human ...
  9. [9]
    Boa vs. Python (Film) - TV Tropes
    A dangerous cargo containing a genetically engineered super-python is lost, again. This time the giant python escapes due to it waking during transport on a ...
  10. [10]
    November 24th, 2016 Movie – Boa Vs. Python - movieadayblog
    Nov 24, 2016 · So let's see how good of a movie they made as I watch Boa Vs Python. The plot: In York, Pennsylvania, a transport plane arrives and unloads ...Missing: 2004 | Show results with:2004<|control11|><|separator|>
  11. [11]
    Boa vs. Python (Video 2004) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Cast · David Hewlett · David Hewlett · Jaime Bergman · Jaime Bergman · Kirk B.R. · Adamo Palladino in Red Shoe Diaries (1992). Adamo Palladino · Adamo Palladino.
  12. [12]
    Boa vs. Python (2004) - A Review by David Nusair
    Woller) decides to fight fire with fire and calls upon a scientist (David Hewlett) who just happens to own the world's largest boa constrictor. Also thrown into ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  13. [13]
    Boa vs. Python - Where to Watch Movie - Clicker
    Boa vs. Python is a 2004 American direct-to-video ... Steven Emmett (David Hewlett) and Marine officer ... David Hewlett does a fantastic job portraying Dr. Emmett ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  14. [14]
    Boa Vs Python - Great! Network
    Boa Vs Python. About. Seeking to arrange the perfect hunt for a group of ... The snake's trail of carnage leads FBI agent Alan Sharpe (Kirk B.R. Woller) ...
  15. [15]
    D V D C R Y P T
    To its credit, BOA VS. PYTHON gets off to a weird start. As the film opens, Broddick (Adam Kendrick) and his girlfriend, Eve (Angel Boris) sit ringside watching ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  16. [16]
    Boa vs. Python (Video 2004) - IMDb
    Rating 2.9/10 (4,338) After a genetically-altered python escapes, a scientist is enlisted to help kill it by releasing a giant boa constrictor that he owns.Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  17. [17]
    https://movieweb.com/movies-about-snakes/
  18. [18]
    Boa vs. Python (2004) - David Flores - Letterboxd
    Rating 1.8 (1,685) After an overly ambitious businessman transports an 80-foot python to the United States, the beast escapes and starts to leave behind a trail of human victims. ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  19. [19]
    https://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews7/boavspython.htm
  20. [20]
    Boa vs. Python | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 28% (233) An FBI agent (David Hewlett) and a biologist (Jaime Bergman) release a specially bred serpent to hunt the gigantic snake that has been putting the squeeze on ...
  21. [21]
    25 Movies to Avoid if You're Afraid of Snakes - MovieWeb
    Sep 9, 2023 · In David Flores' science fiction and horror film Boa vs. Python, the best solution to take down an escaped, genetically-altered, reticulated 80- ...
  22. [22]
    We've Created a Monster! - WIRED
    Oct 1, 2004 · Python does better than Terminal Invasion," says Regina. This is because Boa vs. Python makes an unmistakable commitment to giant snakes, while ...Missing: UFO | Show results with:UFO
  23. [23]
    https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Boa-vs-Python-DVD/1612/
  24. [24]
    Boa vs. Python (Video 2004) - Technical specifications - IMDb
    Boa vs. Python ; Runtime. 1h 32m(92 min) (United States) ; Sound mix. Dolby Digital ; Color. Color ; Aspect ratio. 1.85 : 1 ; Negative Format. 35 mm.Missing: shot 35mm
  25. [25]
    https://www.frightmarecollectibles.com/Night-of-Terror-Collection-Boa-Vs-Python-Lake-Placid-3-Chupacabra-Terror-Frankenfish-DVD-Used_p_5064.html
  26. [26]
    Review "Boa vs. Python" Universal - Region 2 - PAL - DVDBeaver
    Sep 20, 2004 · In 2004 the forth in the row appeared as “Boa vs Python”, this time ... budgets around $3-4 million) and decent acting from ...
  27. [27]
    Boa vs. Python DVD - Blu-ray.com
    730-day returnsBoa vs. Python DVD Release Date August 24, 2004. DVD reviews, news, specs, ratings, screenshots. Cheap DVD movies and deals.Missing: Columbia | Show results with:Columbia
  28. [28]
    Boa vs. Python - Amazon.com
    30-day returnsAmazon.com: Boa vs. Python : David Hewlett, Jaime Bergman, Kirk B.R. Woller, David Flores, Jeffery Beach, Phillip Roth, Blaze Productions LLC; ...Missing: producers Jeffrey
  29. [29]
    4 Film Snake Attack Pack: Python / Boa / Python II / Venomous DVD
    730-day returnsThe SNAKE ATTACK multi-feature set contains four spine tingling films for the most rabid Creature Feature fan. Set includes ''Python'' starring Jenny McCarthy, ...
  30. [30]
    Night of Terror Collection, Boa Vs. Python, Lake Placid 3 ...
    $$14.99 In stockThis collection contains: - Boa Vs. Python (2004) - Lake Placid 3 (2010) - Chupacabra Terror (2005) - Frankenfish (2004)Missing: multi- | Show results with:multi-
  31. [31]
    Boa vs. Python streaming: where to watch online? - JustWatch
    Rating 20% (59) Currently you are able to watch "Boa vs. Python" streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads or for free with ads on The Roku Channel.
  32. [32]
    Watch Boa vs. Python (2004) - Free Movies - Tubi
    When a gigantic python gets loose on a private reserve, the FBI enlists a scientist to release an equally large boa to track and capture it.
  33. [33]
    https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/boa-vs-python-2004-film-review-by-jennie-kermode
  34. [34]
    Release info - Boa vs. Python (Video 2004) - IMDb
    Release date · United States. May 22, 2004(TV premiere) · Argentina. August 10, 2004(video premiere) · Spain. September 14, 2004(video premiere) · United Kingdom.Missing: 2003 | Show results with:2003
  35. [35]
    Boa Vs Python (15) DVD Brand New UK Release Genuine Fast ...
    In stockBoa Vs Python (15) DVD Brand New UK Release Genuine Fast Region 2 PAL New Sealed ; Condition: Brand New ; EAN: 5035822677272 ; Region: DVD: 2 (Europe, Japan, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  36. [36]
    https://corporate.tubitv.com/press/whats-coming-to-tubi-in-december-2/
  37. [37]
    Boa vs. Python (2004) - A Review by David Nusair
    Aug 12, 2004 · For a film called Boa vs. Python, there's precious little snake-on-snake action. The movie's obvious low budget has evidently forced ...
  38. [38]
    Boa Vs Python (2004) Movie Review from Eye for Film
    Jul 18, 2013 · Betty is needed to help the FBI. She's their last line of defence against the giant size python that has gone AWOL after being released by a ...
  39. [39]
    Boa vs Python movie: Is it really as bad as people say?
    Aug 28, 2025 · What is the basic plot of “Boa vs Python”? The movie centers on a giant boa constrictor and a massive python that are released in the Florida ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  40. [40]
    Boa vs. Python - Something Awful
    Jun 14, 2005 · The movie opens at a wrestling match in Atlantic City, as ... Boa vs. Python" and the cover art and DVD title screen shows a boa ...
  41. [41]
    What's Coming to Tubi in December - TubiTV Corporate
    “Boa Vs. Python”. “Daybreakers”. “Resident Evil”. “The Brass Teapot”- 12/6. “The Cleanse”. “The Covenant (2006)”. “The One”. “Voyagers”. Thriller. “Hunter ...
  42. [42]
    Boa vs. Python | The Snakes Battle Each Other | Creature Features
    Aug 9, 2022 · The battling snakes end up fighting on subway tracks. Now Available on Tubi: https://bit.ly/BoaVPythonOnTubi Don't forget to 'Like' this ...<|control11|><|separator|>