Horror Film (2020) Review #8

Becky, a film that can be drawn from lineage of revenge horror films, like the Australian 2018 indie movie called Revenge, to classics like Avenging Angel, Ms. 45, I spit on your grave, Mikey, and The Good Son;  the list could go on.  It’s the casting that is on point with its star Lulu Wilson, a veteran horror genre actress, who gives a wide-eyed tension building performance.  The directors of Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion who have collaborated together on all their films like Bushwick and Cooties, have Becky seem like it’s an evolved amalgam of their previous works.  Kevin James is in a role completely removed from his previous work, its his very first role as villainous character  and is mesmerizing to watch. Its not as intense as JK Simmons role in the series OZ, but the acting muscles being flexed by this comedic actor is terrifyingly awesome. Becky could be Kevin James' foot in a host of variety of new roles including Oscar worthy performances in his future.

The Premise: An escaped Neo-Nazi named Dominick and his 4 men head to a lake house in the woods to find a key he has hidden 9 years before his incarceration.  Becky a bullied 13yr old high school student whose mother passed away a year ago has a strained relationship with her father; making matters worse she is taken to the family lake house home to discover that her father is now engaged to his girlfriend Kayla.  The situation hits a new level when Becky’s dad and her unwanted family have been taking hostage and she is the only thing standing between Dominick and what he wants.

Becky sets up a story of typical angst ridden youth, dealing with personal loss, and trying to reconcile with her new reality.  Its sets up a hyper surreal set of circumstances that would push Becky to take action, The film shows a natural sense of empathy and understanding  then quickly removes those emotions to bring fourth revenge.  The writing is good enough to understand Becky’s motivations, and to know that this young girl is fundamentally disturbed, a calm calculating monster of the neo-Nazi and Becky are now indistinguishable monsters on how far they are willing go.  In one sense it is a matchup of the wolf in sheep’s clothes versus the big bad wolf.