When you go back throughout the generations it seems like there maybe a common thread between us all. Whether it was Hot Wheels, Barbie or you just straight up talked to yourself - we used our imagination. Given how much this movie I’m writing about focuses on Spongebob. Yes, I’m serious and it’s actually effective plot device. Side note, I’m almost 30 and I still watch and quote SpongeBob at least once to twice a week. No shame, whatsoever. There is one particular SpongeBob episode where the titular sea sponge and his best friend, Patrick Star, order an oversized television. Only to throw it away. Could you imagine spending upwards of a couple grand only to throw it away? There is no logical point in that.
SpongeBob and Patrick just bought the television for its box. Their neighbor, Squidward, wants the television. SpongeBob and his friend just use the box for imagination. Everytime that Squidward walks by or tries to enjoy the television he is bombarded with a constant array of cinematic sounds coming from this box. Every time he opens it, it’s just his two neighbors sitting there; doing nothing. This episode perfectly captures the imagination of children. When I wrote in my Z review about I boasted about my lavish imagination. Though in retrospective, I believe that it was probably my way of coping with the loss of my grandmother. Grief is a funny thing for a child to undergo.
Sometimes imagination can be a toxic place for a child. Look what science has taught us over the years about serial killers and their not-so humble beginnings. Imagination can be a dangerous place to live sometimes. Sometimes imagination can be real for someone and make believe for others. On our show, I’ve made it no secret that I’m a Christian. As such I believe that Ouija boards do in fact open up doors to other realms beyond our own understanding. There are some of you that maybe reading this right now that don’t agree with that. For his feature film debut writer-director, Jacob Chase, explores this concept through Come Play.
Come Play chronicles a young boy who accidentally opens up a portal to another realm. Setting into motion a series of events which result in his family fighting against an otherworldly creature. I found myself having issues with this movie being classified as a horror movie. In some ways, this movie feels like it has more in common with other recent offerings like Hereditary or A Quiet Place. The family dynamic, which I will address in just a little bit, is the strongest foundation for this film. Though, this movie loses its edge with its attempt at horror. It’s overflowing with cheap jump, scares, a cornucopia of genre tropes and predictable character decesions. I found myself often bored by these parts of the movie. I sat down expecting a horror movie and got a Slender Man knock-off. Which if you didn’t hear our episode on the movie; we dubbed it one of the worst movies of 2018.
As I previously stated this movie works better as a family drama. At the center of the story you have Oliver, played by Azhy Robertson, who is an autistic mute. Robertson, alone, is worth the price of admission. At the tender age of ten years old, Robertson follows up his impactful performance from last year’s Marriage Story with another performance that is sure to melt your heart. He doesn’t even really talk, at all, throughout the entire movie and yet is able to convey an overabundance of emotions simply by reacting. His ability to convey these emotions without uttering a word really helps build the suspense tenfold. It’s a shame that they never actually do anything with it.
The studio backing this movie, Focus Features, typically doesn’t do horror movies. They venture more into smaller indie darlings. With the family emotion, they earnestly outdo themselves. With smaller movies, you tend to venture on the side of smaller budgets, This movie with its science fiction horror infusion attempts to make the film bigger than it actually is. The CGI of this movie is cinematic embarrassment. To put it bluntly, it is terrible. For the majority of the movie, audiences are preparing to meet this mysterious stranger. Finally when we meet it; it looks like a college art project than Hollywood magic. Thus returning to my previous point. This movie fails as a horror film but thrives as a family drama. Yes, I’ll admit it, I cried. It got me.
Overall, Come Play is problematic to call a horror movie but compelling enough as a drama. Writer-director, Jacob Chase, demonstrates his inexperience relying more on jump scares and genre tropes rather than actually crafting a terrifying film. However, Chase does know how to tell a strong narrative. Play has one of the most compelling protagonists of the year broght to life by th be impactful Azhy Robertson, of Marriage Story fame. Come Play follows in the footsteps of Hereditary and A Quiet Place - it’s just no where near as effective with its terror.
RORSCHACH RATING:
If you or someone you know is reading this right now and you are struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message or tweet to us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!
Victims and Villains is written Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey (and produced by) and more. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Come Play is property of Focus Features and Amblin Partners. We do not own nor claim any rights. Come Play is now playing in theaters.
You can now support us on Patreon. Help us get mental health resources into schools and get exclusive content at the same time. Click here to join today!