Director: Jay Baruchel
Year: 2020
Country: USA
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Slasher
Plot:
Trying to come up with an ending, a pair of comic book writers embark on a road trip promoting their latest issue and gather information for the future, but when they resurrect the feelings of the retired serial killer who inspired their book must race to stop his new bloodsoaked rampage.
Review:
This one wasn’t too bad but did have some big issues. Among it’s biggest drawbacks is the absolutely bland and banal pace which takes forever to get going. There’s so little of any interest generated by this one’s first half where the group is out on the road meeting with fans, having arguments and discussions with each other or taking in the local scenery which is not that interesting. Very few of these scenes are played as interesting, from the arguments over the morality of the book to annoying trips through the countryside or meeting at signing events where nothing happens.
Another issue to be had here is that their attempts at discussing the wholesale brutality the killer created. The profiling of the group as being somehow in league and responsible for the crimes committed by the actual killer since they’re creating the comic book glorifying his crimes is completely wrong and misguided, especially when it comes from the police who are quite clearly capable of realizing the difference between their fictional creation and a real-life killer. This is flimsily-handled, makes no sense and is incredibly hypocritical to bring up which thankfully goes nowhere.
The last flaw with this one is a somewhat bland and non-threatening killer. The whole concept where he visibly is uncomfortable and has to psyche himself up to kill someone and then acts in psychotic, sloppy manners gives everything a random-style encounter. Moreover, a flashback detailing the origins of everything is truly painful to get through as this never makes any sense why their pasts connect as such as well as highlights the egregious effort in casting that makes it nearly impossible to clue into the relationship intended. This allows for some confusing times in the finale, all making for some flaws in this one.
There are a lot of great aspects here, though, despite the flaws. Those are essentially centered around solely the kill scenes here, as any flaws associated with the erratic behavior of the killer are wiped out by the sheer brutality and inventiveness on display here. There are some fantastic kills and chase scenes throughout here, from the highway encounter with the teens to the car chase with the group warning the unsuspecting family that’s being targeted and the series of confrontations with the killer that are bloody, gory and incredibly brutal. As most of this is stuck in the last half hour of the film, that ends this one on a high note which is what gives the film so much to like.
Overview: **.5/5
With some big flaws that stand out quite obviously in some areas while working incredibly well in others which are perhaps more important anyway, this one isn’t that bad in the right mindset. Those curious about the genre credentials of the creative crew or just enjoy brutal slasher efforts should give it a shot, while those who don’t appreciate the flaws featured here should heed caution.
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