Mr. Crocket Review | Hulu Horror Movie Is a Slice of ’90s Nostalgia

by

As a child of the ’90s who was left to my own devices with VHS tapes and a TV when my parents were at work or arguing, I found a lot to appreciate in Brandon Espy’s directorial debut, Mr. Crocket. The film’s nostalgic nods to ’90s horror and the familiarity of its dysfunctional family dynamic made me feel like I was watching a part of my own childhood unfold on screen.

1993 serves as the backdrop for this production, featuring a VHS-inspired style and graphic practical effects that complement its grisly nature. Writer and director Brandon Espy infuses fresh ideas into familiar horror themes in Hulu’s latest Halloween release. The project is an extension of his short film with the same title from the Bite Size Halloween anthology series.

The movie starts off by presenting Mr. Crocket (Elvis Nolasco), a children’s television show host who interacts with puppets and a group of kids, singing catchy tunes about values like sharing and caring that are typically taught in kindergarten. A young boy is seen watching this show on a VHS tape before going to dinner, where he faces harsh criticism from his father while his exhausted mother tries to intervene. This situation likely resonates with many ’90s kids who were often left alone to watch TV during the day while their parents were working, and when they weren’t working, they were arguably arguing with each other.

Amidst the chaos of shouting, the boy’s mother momentarily escapes to her bedroom, providing a brief respite. In this pause, Mr. Crocket enters our world, fatally wounding the father with a menacing chair-like creature as his accomplice. Later on, Mr. Crocket takes action: Summer (Jerrika Hinton) is compelled to raise her son Major (Ayden Gavin) by herself following her husband’s sudden demise. At the funeral, Major encounters Rhonda (Kristolyn Lloyd), a woman evidently battling drug addiction and mental health issues – she is none other than the mother from the initial scene.

​​​​​​

Initially, Rhonda unsuccessfully alerts Summer and Major regarding Mr. Crocket, but she’s soon disregarded as a mentally unstable homeless woman with substance abuse issues. Subsequently, an agitated Summer accidentally discovers the VHS tape of Mr. Crocket and hands it over to Major for amusement. During a heated dispute between mother and son, Mr. Crocket breaks free from the video realm and saves Major. At this point, Summer comprehends the significance of Rhonda’s cautionary tale.

A Fun ’90s Horror Homage That’s a Little Too Familiar

It’s clear that the story in “Mr. Crocket” is quite complex and might be improved by trimming a few plotlines. While Summer is desperately trying to rescue her son from a mysterious supernatural entity, she crosses paths with Eddie (Alex Akpobome), who appears unusually helpful. Eddie’s link to Crocket is noticeable right away, suggesting a close relationship between the two characters.

In ‘Espy’, there’s a playful nod to ’90s horror cliches, such as a research scene using microfiche in a library ending with an expected shock moment; it’s familiar ground, but it’s the exact kind of thing you expect and enjoy in a tribute to ’90s horror. However, by adopting these tropes, Mr. Crocket unfortunately follows the same narrative pattern, leading to foreseeable events that the audience anticipates well before the characters do.

I can’t help but notice that some folks may mistakenly draw parallels between the movie, Mr. Crocket, and Five Nights at Freddy’s due to their proximity in release. However, it’s crucial to understand the distinct differences. Unlike Five Nights at Freddy’s, which revolves around demonic animatronics and a chilling premise of animated characters turning lethal, Mr. Crocket carries an atmosphere more akin to surreal puppetry seen in children’s shows like Pee-wee’s Playhouse and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Instead, its antagonist, a reality-hopping boogeyman, bears resemblance to the terrifying figures from A Nightmare on Elm Street and Brainscan.

A Slasher With Slight Social Commentary

Mr. Crocket shines brightest when trailing behind Summer and Rhonda, and though Espy doesn’t delve deeply into the ’90s war on drugs and its impact on Black communities battling the crack epidemic, these themes are undeniably present in his thoughts. Espy is not just evoking a particular time period, but also a painfully familiar – and unfortunately prevalent among the working class – family dynamic marred by socioeconomic strife. The film’s success hinges heavily on personal perspective, as certain parts, especially the third act, may become muddled, with the movie attempting to balance gruesome puppet-horror and social commentary.

1992’s “Candyman” stands out due to its powerful racial undertones and atmosphere, whereas “Mr. Crockett” navigates the line between allegory and genre. Consequently, the conclusion becomes somewhat muddled, failing to fully develop its villain while overshadowing the film’s most intriguing characters and acting performances.

In a nutshell, the horror movie Mr. Crocket, premiering on Hulu October 11, 2024, offers an enjoyable viewing experience thanks to its messy and grotesque practical effects that are sure to please fans of ’90s slasher flicks. While it could be more critiqued if it had a theatrical release or a longer running time, for now, Mr. Crocket manages to achieve its goals, although viewers might hope for grander aspirations. Here’s the trailer below:

Read More

2024-10-11 01:32