Connect with us

News

Review: ‘Random Acts of Violence’ is a Stylish, Brutal, Self-Aware Slasher

Published

on

Random Acts of Violence

It’s rare that you find a literary adaptation that surpasses the source material, but with Random Acts of Violence, Jay Baruchel does just that. With brilliant, hypnotic cinematography by Karim Hussein (Hobo with a Shotgun, Possessor), and a pulsating score by Andrew Gordon Macpherson (The Ranger, Dark Side of the Ring) and Wade MacNeil (Alexisonfire, Black Lungs), Random Acts of Violence is a brutally bloody meditation on our cultural celebration of cruelty and societal reactions to violence as art.

After working on the script for over 8 years, Baruchel and co-writer Jesse Chabot finally found the right time to make it happen. You can tell it’s a project they’re passionate about; the script is nuanced yet forthright, dissecting the intersection of real violence and pop culture when it comes to topics like true crime and the horror genre. This is Baruchel’s second time working a set from the director’s chair (the first being Goon: Last of the Enforcers), and it sets a promising tone for any future horror endeavors. 

In the film, comic book creator Todd (Jesse Williams, Cabin in the Woods), his wife Kathy (Jordana Brewster, the Fast and the Furious franchise), assistant Aurora (Niamh Wilson), and best friend, Hard Calibre Comics owner Ezra (Baruchel), embark on a road trip from Toronto to New York Comic Con. Bad things start to happen, people start getting killed, and it soon becomes clear that someone is using Todd’s “Slasherman” comic as inspiration for the murders.

via Elevation Pictures

Visually, Random Acts of Violence knocks it out of the park. The lighting soaks each setting in color; it smothers in rich, moody tones akin to the saturated scenes of Gaspar Noé. Steadicams and shifting dutch angles burrow under your skin and force the film forward; it feels like a moving train that can’t be stopped, much like the murders themselves. Cinematographer Karim Hussein and Baruchel have developed a very distinct visual language that translates so incredibly well. It has a palpable energy that’s truly its own. 

The film perfectly captures the vibe of a graphic novel without feeling cartoonish. The score, the sets, the lighting, every element combines in a vibrant medley that still holds a lot of grit. This film has some serious character. 

And when it comes to the titular cruelty seen in the film, Random Acts of Violence pulls no punches. The violence is heavy, and some shots really hit me; they were raw and chaotic. Virtually everything is achieved practically — it’s visceral, surprising, and impressive. That said, it never feels excessive. It’s just enough to burn the images into your brain without going so over-the-top that it becomes silly. It feels rough, and it feels real. 

via Elevation Pictures

Branching off from the 2010 one-shot graphic novel of the same name (by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti), Random Acts of Violence expands on the comic’s original concept. In the film, we see Todd not as an enthusiastic new talent, but as a jaded and weary writer who just wants to bring his series to its brutal, bloody end while avoiding responsibility for his violent creation. In a similar shift, the character of Kathy takes agency and gives a humble yet dedicated voice to victims of “real life” tragedies. By adding these dimensions, Baruchel and Chabot are able to open the dialogue about violence and art, giving each side of the argument its fair dues. 

The film captures this glorification of true crime and killer culture while ensuring that there is a focus not only on the villain, but on the victims. But it doesn’t take a soft hand when dealing with our obsession with violence; the script is very blunt when presenting both sides of the argument for/against responsibility, and in the process, skewers the way the horror genre has been commonly approached. 

The film opens with a monologue on the nature of art and its criticism, tucked away in the panels of a “Slasherman” comic. When Todd tries to justify the inclusion of this esoteric writing in his final issue, he is questioned by Kathy for attempting to put a bit of medicine in with the sugar. “Everybody wants all sugar all the time”, he sighs, exasperated in the corner he’s drawn himself into. 

via Elevation Pictures

During a brief scene of a newscast, a scrolling poll asks “is our country too violent”. Baruchel confronts that question with the visceral acts of violence that pull the film along. These meta moments steer the conversation about our cultural obsession with cruelty, and the horror genre’s perceived propensity for thoughtless bloodshed. “Real art is born of truth,” the script states, “everything else is masturbation”. The delicious irony of that statement is not lost on me as the film builds to its blood-splattered climax. 

Through all this, the film uses brutality to push the story. Though Random Acts of Violence is a well polished film, its scripted acts of violence are not glamorous; they’re clumsy and realistically frenzied. Horror as a genre has been so often perceived as just inflicting pain on others for the sake of entertainment, and it’s been demonized for this. Random Acts of Violence is a vicious yet humbly self-reflecting horror that realizes the glorification of murder and mayhem while acknowledging its criticisms. 

This is a horror film for horror fans who like a dose of medicine with the sugar. Gory, subversive, and self-aware, Random Acts of Violence just gets it.


You can check out Random Acts of Violence in theaters and on-demand in Canada on July 31, or on Shudder US, UK, and Ireland on August 20.

For part one of my interview with Jay Baruchel on horror, slashers and Random Acts of Violence, click here. For part two on directing, effects, and his top horror movies, click here.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

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

Published

on

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

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

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

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

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

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title