Octaman

The expedition arrives at a remote Mexican fishing community and detects dangerous radiation in the water. They encounter a small mutant octopus that can crawl on land, signaling an unprecedented mutation. The team documents the find while seeking validation and support for further study.

Dr. Rick Torres returns to the United States to present his findings and secure support for the project. The reaction from the scientific establishment is lukewarm, limiting his options. He begins to explore other ways to keep the research alive.

Facing funding hurdles, Torres strikes a deal with Johnny Caruso, a circus owner interested in displaying the bizarre mutation as a sensational act. Caruso offers financing in exchange for exclusive exhibition rights. The arrangement hints at a morally fraught collaboration that could jeopardize scientific integrity.

After the group's departure, a humanoid Octaman attacks the camp and slaughters the remaining crew. The brutal assault demonstrates the creature's danger and forces the team to rethink their plans. The immediate loss deepens the peril surrounding the expedition.

A few days later, the scientists return to the camp in an RV and find it abandoned. Davido, a local Indian man, recounts a legend of a half-man, half-sea-serpent and offers to guide them to the lake where it is said to reside. His tale spurs the group to push forward despite danger.

The next day, the scientists find another small mutant octopus. They learn Octaman has gone to the camp and killed a crew member and escaped. The discovery heightens the sense of threat and urgency in the mission.

Witnessing the carnivalesque potential, Johnny Caruso resolves to capture Octaman for his circus. He begins positioning himself to exploit the creature once it is secured. His actions foreshadow a conflict between science and spectacle.

Octaman returns to the RV, and Lowry honks the horn to signal for help. The scientists arrive and the monster flees, avoiding capture for the moment. The team decides to continue the pursuit around the lake.

During the search, Octaman drags another crew member from a boat, proving its predatory reach. The team doubles down on the hunt, realizing they are in a serious chase. The incident escalates the urgency to stop the creature.

The Octaman reappears at the RV and captures Lowry. They blind it with flashlights, surround it with a ring of gasoline, and ignite it; the oxygen-depleted fire renders the monster unconscious and Lowry is saved. They tranquilize and net the creature for transport.

A thunderstorm the next morning revives the Octaman, allowing it to escape and move to seize Lowry. She manages to communicate with the creature and send it away, avoiding further harm. The encounter shows a surprising intelligence behind the monster.

Davido tracks the Octaman into a cave, urging the others to continue despite misgivings. The creature chases them deeper, forcing them to seal the cave mouth. Davido discovers a back exit and leads the way out.

When the group returns to the RV, Octaman is waiting inside. To spare her colleagues, Lowry allows herself to be captured by the creature. This act sets up the final confrontation with the remaining researchers.

The team arms themselves and pursues the pair. Lowry fires a concealed handgun at close range, allowing her to break free from the monster's grasp. The Octaman manages to escape, retreating into the lake.

The expedition continues firing, and the creature finally retreats beneath the surface of the lake. The immediate threat appears contained, though the outcome remains uncertain. The finale leaves open questions about future encounters with the creature.