The film is set in the small, isolated town of Prosperity, Arizona, which is struggling economically after the closure of its mines. The local waste management plant, owned by Joshua Taft (played by Tom Noonan), is illegally dumping toxic waste into a nearby lake, causing a mutation in the local spider population.
The story follows a group of characters as they try to survive and combat the onslaught of giant spiders that have grown to enormous sizes due to the toxic waste. Among them are Chris McCormick (played by David Arquette), a former resident who returns to town to visit his family’s farm; Sheriff Sam Parker (played by Kari Wuhrer), who is trying to protect the town from the spider threat; and a group of eccentric townsfolk who band together to fight the spiders.
As the giant spiders wreak havoc on Prosperity, Chris and Sheriff Parker lead the townspeople in a battle to save themselves and their town. They come up with creative ways to fend off the spiders, including using improvised weapons and traps.
Meanwhile, Chris reconnects with his childhood crush, Ashley Parker (played by Scarlett Johansson), the sheriff’s daughter, who helps him in the fight against the spiders. Together, they lead the townspeople in a final showdown against the giant arachnids.
In the climax of the film, the townspeople confront the spiders in a massive battle, using fire and explosives to defeat them. Ultimately, they are successful in destroying the spiders and saving Prosperity from destruction.
The film ends with the town celebrating their victory over the spiders, with Chris and Ashley sharing a romantic moment. However, the final scene hints at the possibility of more giant spiders lurking in the nearby desert, setting up the potential for a sequel.
“Eight Legged Freaks” is praised for its campy humor, over-the-top action sequences, and homage to classic monster movies. While it received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, it has since gained a cult following among fans of B-movies and creature features.