Support groups are important. I think the majority of us think about support groups in terms of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. While those groups are important, there is a world well beyond those two. In one of our episodes from 2019, we sat down with L.J. Lowery, the president of Geeks Under Grace, to discuss how the suicide of his mother and father impacted him. He shared that a portion of the healing process, and a resulting breakthrough, actually came from joining a local support group in his area. The group allowed him to connect with other individuals who were grieving and allowed him to experience breakthroughs in the grieving process.

Support is something that can mean breakthroughs for multiple areas of life. Surrounding yourself with people can mean the world for your mental health. Just having a designated group of people who you can vent to can make a huge difference. People that you place within your corner to do life with in a legitimately healthy manner can be lifesavers. Our first episode of this year demonstrated the power of support groups. We sat down with a young lady who went through heavy drug use. She attempted to get herself clean a few different times but it was the support group model which finally brought her breakthrough.

Support groups can sometimes be just like therapy. You have to find the right setting for yourself to truly experience break through. Have you ever stumbled into a support group only to have them turn on you? For a deadly example, look no further than the horror comedy, Vicious Fun. The movie tells the story of Joel (Evan Marsh) who accidentally awakes in a support group for serial killers and finds himself in a fight for his life. Marsh, who most would probably recognize from 2019’s Shazam, feels like the equivalent of this generation’s Michael Cera. There is a certain charm to him that grows as the movie unfolds. One of the satisfying things this movie offers is the character growth of Marsh’s character.

He embraces that Cera archetype throughout the majority of the film but subtly grows into something so much more. Marsh’s character development is among the plethora of wise choices this film makes. Its cast of side characters create memorable antagonists - even if they only get minimal screen time, like The Office alum David Koechner. Every character is able to make an impression. One of the strongest elements of its cast is how each character almost feels like a satire of villains we’ve experienced in horror so many times before. They are an overexaggerated approach to the characters. It works so well for the film’s comedic timing. For the best example of this, look no further than Julian Richings. While I won’t spoil anything for you, Richings is able to stand out in odd little ways. 

Amber Goldfarb is another stand out performance in the movie. Before we even get to the crux of the story, she is the first character we meet. What an impression she makes and continues to make. Much like Marsh, her development and character choices are equally surprising and delightful. The pacing of the movie works well for the story the filmmakers are telling. Perhaps my biggest fault with the pacing is how it creates twists to move the story in new directions. It never feels natural, but forced. There are about four different times the movie could have ended prior to its actual ending, but the story contorted itself into new directions to keep itself alive. While it doesn’t necessarily have an impact on the film’s tone, it does reflect on the film’s flow.

Overall, Vicious Fun is a blast from start to finish. The Evan Marsh-led comedy has a terrific 80s aesthetic to it that brilliantly borders itself on satire. Vicious Fun has a lot of surprises up its sleeves, including some great gags and a wonderfully memorable supporting cast. While the film is paced fairly well and it has a balanced tone, it does come under fire for its forced points of storytelling. The film’s flow feels interrupted by the narrative’s need to redirect the story and never allows the film to grow naturally. Vicious Fun is good for laughs and beautifully surprising character developments.

RORSCHACH RATING:

Mental Health Moment: While I won’t spoil how Joel actually ends up in the support group I will say he did it all for the wrong reasons. Joel has a crush on his roommate. The more we as the audience get to see of Joel, the more we realize this probably isn’t the best thing for his mental health. Maybe that’s how it is for some of us. We find ourselves wrapped in fantastical relationships that will never come true. This practice can end up hurting ourselves and destroying our sense of value and worth, while also bringing us to the doors of depression, addiction, self-harm, and even worse, suicide. Remember to surround yourself with people that are going to appreciate you for who you are and not necessarily what you can do for them.

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at 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 (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. We do not own nor claim any rights.

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