About the film (courtesy of Alter: A Gunpowder & Sky Company):
Mickey and Jules are lovers on the run, headed southbound for a fresh start in the Sunshine State. When their car dies after a gas station robbery, they break into a nearby house looking for a new set of wheels. What they find instead is a dark secret and a sweet-as-pie pair of homeowners who will do anything to keep it from getting out.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012) lucked out by featuring a MUCH cheaper Chris Hemsworth as one of its stars when, due to studio issues, it was shelved for almost a year. By the time rights were sorted out, Thor (2011) had dropped its profitable hammer, turning the delay into a financial windfall for Lionsgate. Bill Skarsgård could provide a similar wave for Alter as It Chapter Two (2019) continues to cash in at the box office. Villains finds its in an adventitious spot due to timing.
Maika Monroe joins Skarsgård as, literally, his partner in crime. She seems to be a good luck charm for movies with small budgets and even smaller advertising funds. Two great examples are The Guest (2014) and It Follows (2015). Both became instant hits in both the critics’ and fans’ eyes. I’d consider each a sensational sleeper. For these reasons, I was very intrigued upon watching the trailer for Villains. Could it become yet another unexpected treat?
Bill Skarsgård gives a good unhinged performance in his first appearance since playing Pennywise. There’s a different level of clowning around in Villains and all four characters are equally intriguing. Maika Monroe seems to give her all in every role she plays. These two young actors should be around and a couple of things are certain, they will always give it their all and it’ll be fun. On the more veteran side of things are Kyra Sedgwick and Jeffrey Donovan. These two are a treat to watch as they continue the trend of unexpectedly dark and entertaining behavior. It seems as though all four of these talented people loved their unconventional characterizations.
Villains is co-written and co-directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen. They deserve the a huge amount of credit for taking a chance and giving audiences something that is a break from the norm. Even though things get a bit twisted at times, it’s still a fun ride. I can’t really classify it in the horror category as its being billed. There’s nothing frightening about it. Things do get somewhat twisted and dramatic. The comedy is pretty much present throughout in various forms. This is simply 90 minutes of letting go and watching an oddly intoxicating story unfold. Have fun with it as it’s now playing in select theaters.
