Movie Review: Becky (2020)

Genre: Horror  

Directors: Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion  

Starring: Lulu Wilson, Kevin James, Joel McHale, Robert Maillet  

Running Time: 93 minutes  

Synopsis: 13-year-old Becky (Lulu Wilson) is still grieving her deceased mother, who succumbed to cancer a year prior. Becky's father Jeff (Joel McHale) surprises her with a trip to the family cottage, but she is disappointed when they are joined by Jeff's new lover Kayla (Amanda Brugel) and her young son Ty. The awkward gathering gets a lot more dangerous when the cottage is invaded by four escaped prisoners, led by neo-Nazi Dominick (Kevin James). Becky finds herself alone in the woods, having to fight back against violent criminals.

What Works Well: First Blood meets Home Alone in this innovative, entertaining, and gore-happy horror adventure. Becky starts the day angry and rebellious, and she gets an unwanted opportunity to channel all her rage into a visceral fight to survive and avenge harm against her clunky family. Enough humour is sprinkled in the woods to make the disgusting (and they are very yucky) moments more palatable, and Lulu Wilson's determined performance propels the brisk pacing. Kevin James enjoys a serious role, and the mammoth Robert Maillet brings unexpected texture to the one bad guy with a heart.

What Does Not Work As Well: The escaped prisoners are looking for a key, but the importance and relevance of this objective remain opaque. Of course a very deep breath is required to believe that a young teenaged girl, despite the help of one dog, can outsmart and out-harm four hardened and desperate criminals.

Key Quote:

Dominick: I don't want to have to hurt you...

Becky: But I do want to hurt YOU. Real bad.

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