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Review: ‘Come to Daddy’ is a Dark, Shifting, Shocking Thrill Ride

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come to daddy

Peppered with unadulterated insanity, Come to Daddy is a shifting, often shocking, and surprisingly hilarious thrill ride. Anchored by stellar performances from its main cast (and a “this house is its own character” setting), the film sweeps you through a madcap haze of manic proportions. It crashes over you, speeding along a winding and dangerous path, and you just can’t look away.

Come to Daddy is Ant Timpson’s feature film directorial debut, and he starts strong. Hailing from New Zealand, Timpson has acted as a producer on some seriously fun films — including Deathgasm, Housebound, and Turbo Kid — and brings that quirky Kiwi comedic charm to this dark, twisted tale of a father-son reunion.  

Written by Toby Harvard and based on an idea by Timpson, the film follows Norval Greenwood, a privileged man-child, as he arrives at the beautiful and remote coastal cabin of his estranged father. He quickly discovers that not only is dad a jerk, but he also has a shady past that is rushing to catch up with both of them. Now, hundreds of miles from his cushy comfort zone, Norval must battle with demons, both real and perceived, in order to reconnect with a father he barely knows.

Stephen McHattie and Elijah Wood in “Come to Daddy” via Jamie Leigh Gianopoulos

The film begins by carefully exploring the strained relationship between Norval and his distant-would-be-an-understatement father, Brian, before a record-scratching chain of events tosses poor Norval into a blender of bad shit. We follow him through the chaos as he is thrown desperately out of his depth. 

Played by an earnestly endearing Elijah Wood (Maniac, The Lord of the Rings), Norval is — at first — kind of a weenie. He’s the ultimate hipster millennial with his Beverly Hills upbringing, limited edition gold-plated iPhone, “music career”, and lofty stories of his up-close-and-very-personal brushes with fame. He’s sweet and insecure, but you can’t help but cock an eyebrow at every humble brag. 

Once the shit hits the proverbial fan, Norval is forced to step up in the biggest way possible, and it’s incredibly easy to empathize with his plight. Wood perfectly captures that wide-eyed innocence that makes Norval such a sympathetic character. 

His paternal counterpart, Steven McHattie (Pontypool, 300), slings vicious barbs through gritted teeth. They’re perfectly imbalanced, making their reunion that much more stilted. Meanwhile, Michael Smiley (Kill List) slides in with a fantastically grimy performance that steals each scene with a greasy underhand.

While Come to Daddy certainly goes… a lot of different directions, it is firmly focused on the strained relationship between an estranged father and a desperate son. Norval is searching for any kind of connection he could possibly form with his father after a lifetime of confused loss. 

Elijah Wood in “Come to Daddy” via Daniel Katz

But as weighty as that particular plot point is, Come to Daddy doesn’t fully succumb to its own pressure. There’s a pitch-black humor injected throughout, breaking the tension with violent absurdity. 

Timpson doesn’t hold back on these hits; they pulse with a savagery so startling that you can’t help but laugh. It’s all grounded by a simple, linear narrative that guides the ever-shifting tone of the film. The score — composed by New Zealand artist Karl Steven — ties it all together. Following its brutally absurd build-up, Come to Daddy wafts its full emotional weight through the film’s final moments, and it’s a brilliantly dramatic note to end on. 

After that whole wild ride, we’re reminded of the film’s thesis. The relationship between father and son, and if — once broken — that bond can ever be repaired. What lengths would you go to for your family? How does it change you? Swathed in a surprisingly dark comedic cloak, there’s a genuine and deeply human heart to the film that resonates with emotional honesty. 

Come to Daddy pulls you in with its eccentricity, sneaking in a one-two punch that throws you for a loop before blasting you into shocking new territory. It’s a surefire crowd pleaser — pure midnight pulpy madness — and it’s certainly a memorable experience. You just have to accept the invite. 

Click here for the trailer, or watch below.
In Select Theaters Nationwide + Available on Digital & VOD on February 7, 2020

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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