On a quiet suburban street tucked within a 'safe neighborhood', a babysitter must defend a twelve-year-old boy from strangers breaking into the house, only to discover that this is FAR FROM a norma...
Better Watch Out wishes you a "Merry Christmas" by giving you 'Home Alone' on way too much mulled wine. Having completely unacknowledged this horror for quite some time, I actually removed it from my mind. It caught me by surprise one day, bought it, and here we are reviewing a Christmas film in the peak of summer season (sounds about right...). So, naturally, I had no idea what I was getting into except that it resembled a home invasion film. Oh boy, was I wrong. A babysitter is summoned to watch over a family's son and house whilst the parents go out. The son is hoping to get to "second base" with the babysitter, but his plans are paused as the house is seemingly invaded by a masked individual. Let the festivities, begin! Reminiscent to 'Home Alone', it's a story involving mind games where the residents are at an advantage for knowing the layout of their abode, with a specific scene so self-aware that it actually admits to imitating that very film. But, it's not all sweet like gingerbread men and candy canes. Oh no, there is one heck of a twist that I just cannot verbalise, for it would ruin the surprise. And well, who doesn't like a surprise gift at Christmas? Writer/Director Peckover seamlessly persuades the audience's minds into a false sense of security, luring them down the route of obviousness. We are now Christmas pudding in his hands, and he moulds his way through many well executed twists and turns that unsurprisingly caught me off guard. Deranged, yet psychologically entertaining. DeJonge and Miller give fantastic performances, particularly the latter who was clearly enjoying the role. It's well shot, with technical inventiveness, and includes a rather funny screenplay, but above all it is fun. Good old fashion fun. Frequently, the pacing does dip and takes some time for the thrills to build back up. Also, as elaborate as the conclusion was, it just wasn't believable. Alas, the film knows what it is. A disposable thriller that injects some blood-soaked holiday spirit into Christmas. This will certainly be a new favourite of mine during the holiday season.
