Who doesn’t love a psycho, comedy thriller just in time for Christmas? Better Watch Out is just that: a good wholesome murderous teenager who gets much deeper into trouble than he ever wanted to.
Luke, a 12-year-old has an unhealthy crush on his babysitter. After his parents leave for a party, he sets about trying realise his desire with a mix of champagne and horror movies. The terror, however, turns real when Luke, his best friend, his baby-sitter and her ex- boyfriend find themselves the victims of a home invasion.
This film starts off predictably enough but about 30 minutes in has more twists and turns than the Hampton Court Maze.
Levi Miller (Luke) perfectly captures the sexual innocence of a typical 13-year-old emerging teenager. This quickly develops into an unhealthy obsession and becomes quite unnerving. Miller uses his eyes to great advantage and makes the watcher wonder what he will become in later years.
Olivia DeJonge (Ashley) has just the right amount of stereotypical baby-sitter mixed with a sense of practicality in an emergency. She uses the ‘less is more’ approach to this role and it pays off. She is totally believable.
Ed Oxenbould (Garrett) is the best friend that everyone seems to have in this genre of movies, slightly overweight, sandy red hair and gormless. He is Luke’s comic side-kick and Oxenbould plays it well.
Dacre Montgomery (Jeremy), Ashley’s ex-boyfriend seems to be played as a parallel to Garrett, except he is the better-looking version. When things get tough he leaves the thinking to Ashley. Montgomery plays this character perilously close to a stereotype, but gets away with it.
Chris Peckover’s direction keeps the pace moving and provides the appropriate shock moments. He has wisely decided to play the 2 main actors as realistic and leave the bulk of the comedy to the supporting actors. This prevents the film from sinking into parody.
Featuring some gruesome moments, this is not a Christmas film for the kiddies, but Better Watch Out is worth a watch for the rest of us.
Check out the official site here.
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