VILLAINS: A Humorously Brilliant Take On An Old Idea

We live in a world of a dime a dozen in the horror genre. With studios, such as Blumhouse, moderately funding a plethora of films at one time, hoping one slashes at the box office, there is never a shortage of gore, cheap thrills and failed starts. Some rise, many fall. While you will spend a great deal of Villains asking yourself “What is going on?!”, you will find that this is not a dime a dozen.

You can not look away, you can not turn it off. You will find yourself a captive to a smartly executed horror film that leaves the gore behind, yet returns the intensity, deeper character development and humor to an audience – all elements that have been making a swift return to horror genre in recent years. Audiences crave films that know how to make fun of themselves, execute with perfection and push the boundaries of a genre that has long been associated with depravity, gore and terror. With all the low budget, factory pumping of horror films out there, this one should not be over looked.

While it does not reach the groundbreaking level of Get Out, Us, It Follows and The Witch, it gets damn near close. Honestly, there was no weak link. With a standout cast and captivating story, Villains is one of the most surprising and best horror films of the year.

Who is Truly the Bad Guy

I like the idea of perceived “villains” having the tables turned on them. There is a balance, a comeuppance that allows for the audience to cheer the demise of the victims on screen. I mean they brought it upon themselves. While far from an original Hollywood idea, Villains brings this idea to life in Mickey (Bill Skarsgård) and Jules (Maika Monroe), small time amateur criminals on the run after robbing a gas station. But their dreams of escaping to Florida are briefly drained as their car runs out of gas – yes, they robbed a gas station and took everything but what they needed to get away.

Desperate to evade police, they spot an obscure mailbox, signaling a possible means of escape. Though what they find at the house – or should I say finds them – turns out to be more than they bargained for. Villains brings a refreshing take to crime on crime storytelling, infusing nuanced humor throughout. Whether spoken or through actions, the film easily morphs through horror, confusion and humor, keeping its audience on their toes – expectant for more than bumps in the night. This was a horror film I found myself laughing as much as anticipating the next moment at the edge of my seat.

All About Delivery

Many times, especially when handling recycled elements and storylines, it all comes down to how it is delivered. Villains’ pace is executed with perfection, never leaving the audience time to become bored, allowing enough time to process what is happening (and being said on screen). There is a mastery between directors Dan Beck and Robert Olsen with the balance they are able to strike. There unison shines clearly through, further proof that it may take more than one mind behind the camera (as recently witnessed with the release of Ready or Not).

Smartly executed too was the set design, the retroed environment playing well not only into the eeriness but also the psyche. From the moment Mickey and Jules step into the house, there is something off. They seem to think nothing of it, but the audience is smarter than that and the filmmakers know it. While we have been trained to be weary of the dirty bug ridden homes presumed abandoned years earlier, it is the time capsule of a home, presented in perfection that sets the tone and delivers the “I have a bad feeling about this” vibe.

While the script and filmmaking all stood out, it was the acting here that made the film – and one I can’t talk enough about. When addressing character development, the ladies are given the deepest among the cast, back stories and an understanding of their motives in a more psychological and centralized focus that moved the story forward. And the woman behind them did not let their characters down. Kyra Sedgwick brings a brilliant portrayal of psychological uncertainty, an individual teetering on the edge of sanity and a full break down. No stranger to the horror genre, Monroe (It Follows) too delivers a strong female character, hers ruled by a past trauma and a potential future. You can feel the experience and ease with which she embraces her character and the genre, bringing a balance to each aspect throughout.

The men too brought it. While not as deeply developed, Skarsgård and Jeffrey Donovan both deliver, much of the richness in their performance drawn out of character nuances. To be honest, these are the two reasons why I had jumped at the chance to see the film. For one, I was intrigued to see the man behind the modern day Pennywise be on the other side of the terror. I was nervous that all I would be able to see was the man behind the clown, yet Skarsgård creates his own identity here. Watching Villains, his inclusion in the film never once drew a call back to the infamous Stephen King adaptation, revealing a further range in talent.

As a long time fan of Donovan, he was at his best here.The evilness behind his eyes coupled with humor in the potential for destruction. Add in the cool exterior here, and this has become one of my favorite Donovan performances to date. There is such a nuanced performance executed, and it is not one to easily disregard. He gives his all with every performance, continuing this trend with Villains.

Conclusion: Villains

Villains is one of the funniest horror films you will see in quite some time. As mentioned, I found myself at the edge of my seat as often as I did laughing. And I don’t think this was by accident. I was nervous when the film began, not sold on the premise. This could be due to the fact that it does take a bit for the film to really jump start. It could also be that the tone and humor takes a moment to accept – to understand. This is not the typical direction of a horror film. Honestly, I feel it is the latter.

There are moments too when you as a viewer my feel embarrassment for the characters on screen as they give way to common horror tropes. Yet, it never lasts long enough to deter you from the film. The moments following these are the moments you are truly here for.

With the conclusion of Villains, and without spoiling each delectable moment, I felt satisfied as a viewer and I know audiences will too. It was refreshing to watch a horror movie of this nature, one that took risks with its storyline, leaning not on jump scares and spelling everything out for the audience as we went along. Rather trusting that its audience has the ability to trust its filmmakers, enjoy and go along for the ride.

Watch Villains