Sunday, October 13, 2019

Spook Out! Day 12 ~ I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016)

Amazon Says...
"Christopher Lloyd stars in this thriller about a troubled teen who must hunt down a supernatural killer while battling his own inner demons."

I Say...
Kid fighting his own homicidal tendencies desperately tries to save the people he loves.

Horror Type...
Thriller, Serial Killer(s), Supernatural

Main Players...
Christopher Lloyd as Bill Crowley (Neighborhood Old Guy)
Max Records as John Wayne Cleaver (Budding Psycho?)
Laura Fraser as April Cleaver (Clueless Mom)

I liked...
  • the tension and suspense that totally kept me on edge wondering where this would all end (spoiler: somewhere I'd never have imagined)
  • the complex feelings evoked by worrying that Socio-Teen might snap while at the same time I grasped for the straws of humanity in his actions
  • being completely surprised by Christopher Lloyd in this role...and yet not
  • how cleverly the teen fought to keep from giving in to his darker urges (which had to be extra hard, given how his mom let him assist in the family business--a funeral home...the family that embalms together stays together?)
  • how Socio-Teen has the stereotypically-serial-killery three names (two of which belong to an actual serial killer--John Wayne Gacy--and one which the average American may recognize from the wholesome '50s sitcom Leave it to Beaver)
  • the Fargo-esque feel of the flick, from the snowy landscape to at least one character's broad midwest accent
  • the crazysauce twist at the end

The Meh...
  • the crazysauce twist at the end. I mean, I did actually enjoy it, but I didn't see it coming. (I defy anyone who didn't read the book this film's based on to say they did.) The full truth of Lloyd's character felt like it came out of nowhere. And also...
  • the mom went along with her kid's wackadoodle idea without coherent, or very much, explanation from her son (which was a refreshing change, in a way, from parents who just wave away when their kid's telling them about some grave, looming threat...but still...). Anyway, it didn't seem an organic progression, given what the movie shows of their strained relationship, as well as her concerns for his mental state

Would I recommend it...?
Dang right, and I can't wait to watch it again! (SO GOOD!)

Miscellany...
Christopher Frickin Lloyd, man. Uncle Frickin Fester!!!

Ratings...
My Grade: A
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=93%, Audience Score=61%

Details, Schmeetails...
I Watched I Am Not a Serial Killer on Amazon (the Rotten Tomatoes page linked above provides links to other host sites)
I Am Not a Serial Killer's Wikipedia Page (Contains Spoilers and some inaccuracies)


This concludes day 12 of

4 comments:

  1. I'm perhaps more interested in reading the book. Hahahahahaha. Although Christopher Lloyd.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hmmm, as a Dexter fan (understatement), I'm excited to watch this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a fellow Dexter fan, I highly recommend it!

      Delete

C'mon, post a comment. All the cool kids do.