The story revolves around a series of mysterious deaths occurring in Black Lake, Maine. When a diver is killed under strange circumstances, Sheriff Hank Keough (played by Brendan Gleeson) launches an investigation. He teams up with Fish and Game officer Jack Wells (played by Bill Pullman) and paleontologist Kelly Scott (played by Bridget Fonda) to uncover the truth behind the attacks.
As they delve deeper into the investigation, they discover that the culprit behind the deaths is a massive and ferocious crocodile living in the lake. The crocodile has grown to an enormous size due to its isolation and has developed a taste for human flesh.
The team’s efforts to capture or kill the crocodile are complicated by the interference of wealthy widow Mrs. Delores Bickerman (played by Betty White), who refuses to acknowledge the danger posed by the creature. She even admits to feeding the crocodile as a way to cope with loneliness.
Despite facing numerous setbacks and close encounters with the crocodile, the team eventually manages to trap and kill the creature using a tranquilizer and explosives. In the process, Jack sacrifices himself to save Kelly from the crocodile’s jaws.
In the end, the surviving characters reflect on their experiences and the events that transpired at Black Lake. Kelly decides to stay in the town and continue her work as a paleontologist, while Sheriff Hank returns to his duties.
“Lake Placid” is celebrated for its blend of horror and humor, as well as its campy portrayal of a giant crocodile terrorizing a small town. The film’s witty dialogue, eccentric characters, and over-the-top action sequences make it an entertaining and memorable entry in the creature feature genre.