My quick rating - 4.7/10. This flick starts with a fun idea but stumbles on its execution. The film centers around a single mother who stumbles upon a VHS of "Mr. Crocket's World," a seemingly innocent children's program that holds a sinister, bloody secret waiting to unleash horror into their home. It's a throwback to the mid-90s, capturing the VHS-era nostalgia with no smartphones or modern technology, and for that alone, it does a decent job of setting its atmosphere. The star of the show is of course Elvis Nolasco as Mr. Crocket. His ability to mix in humor before each kill adds a playful yet unnerving charm to the character. His comedic timing lightens the mood before things turn dark and brutal, and honestly, it's this aspect that keeps the movie watchable. The kills themselves, when they finally come, are creative and gory, with writer/director Brandon Espy clearly not holding back when it comes to punishment. However, where the film falters is in the pacing. The middle section drags with a strange, almost heavy-handed parenting message that feels out of place in an otherwise horror-focused movie. It tries to stay serious when the setup and execution scream for more of the over-the-top carnage and dark humor that Nolasco provides. Unfortunately, it’s this uneven tone that makes the movie feel disjointed. Special effects-wise, it’s a mixed bag. The low-budget, cheesy visuals make it feel like a kid’s scare flick, but the adult language and splatter pull it back into R-rated territory. The film’s identity struggles with these contrasts, and it becomes hard to tell what audience it's really aiming for. Overall, it shows promise, especially in Espy’s willingness to get creative with the kills and Nolasco's performance. However, it leans too heavily into its serious side, dragging down the pacing when it could have fully embraced its gory, campy potential. A solid first effort, though, and I’d be interested to see where Espy goes from here.
Comments