Horrific Inquiry: BETTER WATCH OUT (2016)

Welcome to the newest, and at times goriest, column here at Film Inquiry – Horrific Inquiry. Twice a month, I will be tackling all things horror, each month bringing two films back into the spotlight to terrify and frighten once more. And occasionally looking at those that could have pushed the envelope further. Join us as we dive deep into the heart of horror, but warning, there will be spoilers.

With the holidays on the horizon, what better way to kick off this new column’s induction than with a holiday fright. Cue up the bells and whittle your candy canes, it’s time to dive into the underrated horrific holiday treat Better Watch Out.

Better Watch Out is a film that has been on my radar for quite some time now. An intriguing take on the horror genre within the midst of the joyous of holidays, what could possibly go right. I am here to say, literally the entire film. It’s Home Alone meets American Psycho and so much more. If you need a new holiday staple to fill your cinephile holiday binge, look no further.

Clever Execution

The beginning of Better Watch Out lends itself to a bad horror film. The acting is terrible and the feeling of cheesiness oozes from each scene. But as the home invasion begins, the film begins to zero in its focus, fine-tuning its framing and dialogue, its delivery reaching new heights. As the initial home invasion comes to an end and the real horror begins, viewers will come to realize the beginning was just a front, a more deeply clever horror film waiting to be revealed.

The nature of the beginning is intentional, when the “game” is figured out, the acting and the horror changes revealing the true nature of the film. It is a brilliantly executed beginning, one that might challenge some to stick with it, and a reward for those who do. And no worries if you put the pieces of the puzzle together at the beginning figuring out the film’s “twist”, this is not the target moment of the film. Whether it was on purpose, this almost hand-held layout of the narrative seems intentional, allowing viewers to have the upper hand, when in reality they are as off base as the film’s main lead. It also sets you off-kilter, unsure of how far the film and its characters really want to go.

Murder comes in small packages

While the structure and mind games with the audience elevate the film, it is the male lead for Better Watch Out that truly captures the magic of the genre. As mentioned, you might figure out the beginning of the film, but like Ashley (Olivia DeJonge) and Ed Oxenbould’s Garrett (who both previously starred with one another in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit), viewers will find they are on the same journey, each revelation more shocking than the last. But none of these twists and turns would have been as effective if not for Levi Miller bringing the unpredictable Luke to life.

From his squeaky voice that breaks displaying his age and bridge of maturity to the childlike innocence constantly displayed on his face, Luke is the perfect killer in disguise. His performance is undeniably reminiscent of a young Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) – and this is never more apparent than the gleefully, carefree dance he breaks into as he takes on Ashley’s boyfriend. Furthermore, he is clever and intentional, his violence constantly escalating, always bordering on disorganization, though always calm and collected all the same.

But he is not just a young child killer, the film refusing to weigh on the shock value of the concept. Luke’s character is fully fleshed out, giving moments and nuances of psychosis that drive his character deeper, but also giving the pieces of his motivation and slowly culminating into the final understanding of his intentions. There is a constant need to keep the house clean as his antics escalate. While it is obvious he is trying to prevent being caught, there is also a deeply rooted need to continue to please his mother. There is an incredible drive to meet the demands of his mother (played by Candyman and Bridesmaids’ Virginia Madsen), and an almost Oedipus-like complex slowly revealing itself as the film continues. Couple this with the need to hold onto childhood behaviors, and you have one motivated killer.

It’s in the details

The details and nuances do not just extend to Luke. Better Watch Out does not leave anything unturned and unexplained. From Luke’s knowledge of the pencil on the door to the carefully crafted coverup to the 1001 uses of duck tape, Better Watch Out covers all its tracks. Wrapped neatly with a bow, writers Chris Peckover and Zack Kahn made sure their story was cohesive and a delight for viewers piecing everything together.

The attention to detail extends even further. Where the film could have welcomed more gore, the lack of it is tactfully utilized. A scene involving paint cans is a horrific scene that ends not in the reveal of the aftermath, rather showing the mixing of blood and paint together, the increasing amount of blood giving knowledge to the extent of the damage. Viewers can then fill in the blanks themselves.

Better Watch Out also contains shots that I can’t wait to go back and watch again, the illuminating lights of the Christmas Tree, Christmas lights outside, and appliances giving an aura of the holiday, but not overwhelming the film, allowing the central focus to be on the characters. It also lends itself to the duplexity of the film, a Christmas movie layered within a horror film, a home invasion layered within something more sinister.

One of these amazing shots is early on in the film, as Luke and Ashley run around the house, the home invaders lurking outside and closing in. As Ashley pulls Luke out of sight of the invaders, there is this amazing moment of the camera rolling with them, the topsy-turvy nature of the spin an ode to the film’s upcoming twist and change of pace. Not everything is as it seems, and your perspective and view can change at any moment.

Conclusion: Better Watch Out

Its hard at times to understand the pull certain films have, but Better Watch Out is one that will have you until the end. Coupled by the fact that our final girl does not need someone to save her, nor does she need to resort to violence to fight her way through the film, Better Watch Out is modern and downright fun. Viewers will enjoy every aspect this horrific holiday treat has to offer and a worthy induction into the horror genre.

What did you think of Better Watch Out? Let us know in the comments below!

Watch Better Watch Out