Adam Scott plays Gary, the unlucky stepdad in this picture. He's happily married to the love of his life Samantha (Evangeline Lilly, The Desolation of Smaug), but he's having a difficult time bonding with her anti-social son Lucas (Owen Atlas). Things escalate quickly when the creepy kid starts doing demonic activities and making Gary's life a living hell. While Samantha remains oblivious, Gary attempts to figure out if Lucas (some symbolic names there) is indeed the frickin' antichrist.
The film doesn't exactly flip the tropes on their head, but it playfully works them in while avoiding the overt tackiness of, say, the Scary Movie series. It's fun to identify the references--from The Shining to Poltergeist, as well as the traditional shock techniques--from the abrupt zoom-ins to the screechy music jolts. Adam Scott is perfectly cast here, and it's amusing to see his character go through the ringer (he's buried alive at one point). The batshit plot takes many twists and turns, and it builds to a campy fireball of a climax. But I must say, the film's funniest scene isn't even horror-related. It takes place when Gary enters a support group for stepdads of troubled children, where each member bounces some hilarious stories off of each other (like finding poop in dresser drawers).
Little Evil won't really shatter the world, but it's the type of ridiculously enjoyable horror fare to throw on in-between the spookier, heavier stuff in your Halloween playlist.
( 7.5/10 )
Be sure to Like Fade to Zach on Facebook!
And Follow me on Twitter: @Fade_to_Zach
No comments:
Post a Comment