VOD Review: Better Watch Out (2017)

"It's never too early to get in the Christmas spirit."

(aka Safe Neighborhood.)
Release Date: October 6th.
Country: Australia.
Rating: R.
Written by: Zack Kahn.
Directed by: Chris Peckover.
Starring: Olivia DeJonge, Virginia Madsen, Patrick Warburton, Levi Miller, and Ed Oxenbold.

Do yourself a favor: if you haven't already checked out the trailer for Better Watch Out, skip it, and just watch the movie.

I know that no one really watches movie these days without seeing a trailer first, but in this case, the trailer gives away too much of the movie's Holiday cheer, which is a real shame.

It's the Holiday Season, and Ashley has a babysitting gig. Luke, the kid she's babysitting, is in love with her, and he's planning on confessing his love while his parents attend a Christmas party. After his awkward attempt to seduce her with the winning combo of Horror movies and wine, a brick flies through the window with the message "You leave, you die" written on it, and any plans of romance go out the window as Ashely and Luke have to face a masked home invader with bad intentions.

I know that's pretty vague, but the less you know going into this one the better.

Home Alone-style savagery ensues.

WELL, THEY'RE NOT EXACTLY HOME ALONE...

Better Watch Out looks great, boasts a smart script and equally smart direction, offers plenty of darkly humorous moments to balance the demented parts, and overall, it's a lot of fun. This is a Black Comedy that feels a lot like Funny Games, and yes, I suppose there's a bit of Home Alone-ish action to draw a comparison, although that really paints the wrong picture.

Sure, this movie has a Christmasy feel about it, but it's a twisted commentary on the ils of suburban life. And how boys are evil and treat girls wrong. And how babysitting is for suckers.

Levi Miller showed some chops as Luke, which truly took some range, and Ed Oxenbould made for a competent enough best friend type, but this is Olivia DeJonge's movie, make no mistake. She was good in The Visit, and we loved her supporting role in Scare Campaign (review HERE), but she ascended to the next level in this one, carrying the movie with her performance. She plays terrified and tough equally well, and she's got great screen presence.

THAT'S GOTTA BE COLD.

Luke was a bit over-the-top with some of his mannerisms. I know they were trying to illustrate how unhinged he was, but it came off like he was some kind of goofy edgelord. That was by design, but it irked us at times.

WILL THEY SAVE THE GIRL?

I really loved the ending to this one... which is why I didn't really dig the mid-credits scene. It ended perfectly, so why ruin it with some obligatory "See you in the sequel!" crap like that?

THIS GIRL DON'T PLAY.

A paint bucket, some rope, a shard of glass, and bullets give this one just the right amount of bloody goodness.

IT'S JUST A LITTLE HEAD WOUND.

Plenty of sexual themes and discussions throughout, but nothing gets visceral. 

NICE TRY KID, BUT SHE'S NOT SHARING HER PIZZA WITH YOU.

Better Watch Out was a really good movie that balances dark humor with twisted violence. It's also one that's going to put a lot of people off with its subject matter, and the dynamic shift that happens about halfway in might throw some people off, but overall it's a great movie to watch this October... and probably again in December.

B+

Better Watch Out is available on VOD now.

Olivia DeJonge is quick becoming a Scream Queen to reckon with.