Page 44 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 143

44 Issue #143 December 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

In Reel Time

You Better Watch Out. . .

By Nikolai Adams Twisty as much as it is twisted, Peckover
relishes in this horror-fused Hughes-style
f you’ve always thought that the world. Set in an upper-middle class home,
IChristmas classic Home Alone was it could sit on the same cold wintery
a bit sadistic, you ain’t seen nothing Chicago street found in the 90s gem.
yet. Better Watch Out, co-written and Living within is the Lerner family,
directed by Chris Peckover (the story was consisting of parents Robert and Deandra
conceived by Zach Kahn – who also co- (Patrick Warburton and Virginia Madsen)
wrote the script), plays like a combination and their only child, Luke (Levi Miller)
of the above mentioned Chris Columbus – a soon to be thirteen year old. With the
directed, John Hughes scribed film, and couple departing for a wonderful night out
a twist on the home-invasion horror sub- on the town, they bring in go-to babysitter
genre – something along the lines of Ashley (Olivia DeJonge), a young woman
When a Stranger Calls or The Strangers. five years Luke’s senior that is moving
away in a few short days (to Pittsburgh –
A tough sell during the holidays, Better
Watch Out really didn’t deliver at the no, that is not where the horror kicks in). Photo Submitted
box office, yet, in its years since its 2016 With Luke’s best friend Garrett (Ed
release, it has slowly built a cult following. Oxenbould) heading home, Luke hopes

to use frightening horror movies to get a Peckover is wise enough to spin his own
little closer to his blonde babysitter (who web, inspiration never coming off as
he has a major crush on). Yet, in short copycat hijinks or lame recycling.
order, it appears that something isn’t
quite right, and things start to turn a bit Obviously, I’m leaving much of the
scary. . . not only because (less than) third plot in the air with this review, as it is
wheel Garrett returns, but also due to the best enjoyed firsthand. What I can say is
that each of the actors does a stellar job
fact that it seems as though someone is
In business since 2009. terrorizing them from the outside – doors with their characters; Miller completely

mysteriously open, silent crank calls keep measured and dynamic beyond his years,
coming in, a brick is thrown through the DeJonge brave in the ever changing
face of danger – channelling her inner

upstairs window, and shadows can be kick-ass heroine, while, in many ways,
seen on the other side of the windows.
Oxenbould brings forth the most
Like Home Alone, Better Watch Out interesting character arc. . . and can
Do you need : juxtaposes the intensely claustrophobic, almost be seen as the moral compass as
trapped setting with a larger than normal the piece changes many times.
home. With plenty of space to move
A quirkily warped film that descends
√ a new website for your business ? around and numerous places to hide, it into bonkers madness, Better Watch Out
√ an existing website redesigned ? provides an unorthodox landscape for the updates both Christmas horror tropes and
√ help with an online store ? characters to react and adapt in (unlike, coming of age stories from the golden
for instance, Don’t Breathe – which feels
√ help maintaining a website ? wholly confining). age of slasher flicks, making for perfect
viewing for those looking for a very
√ a website optimized for local search ? That is not the only thing these two different type of watch this holiday. So,

features have in common. This 2016 add this one to your list, no need to check
offering has a wickedly warped sense it twice, you will most definitely find out
bernadette@dragon ywebcreations.com of humour, gargantuan spiders, paint who’s naughty and nice. . . though full
613.363.7112 cans, Christmas carollers, and a number disclosure here, you may never watch
www.dragon ywebcreations.com of other winks to the 1990 picture. Yet, Home Alone in the same way ever again.