Destroy All Neighbors Review: Gore, Gags, and Rock in this Symphony of Screams

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โ€œDestroy All Neighborsโ€ emerges as a splatter-comedy that rides on its irreverent humor and a scrappy, DIY punk spirit. Directed by Josh Forbes and penned by Charles Pieper and Jared Logan, the film is a quirky, gory romp through the challenges of creative ambition in the most surreal of circumstances.

The movie centers around William Brown, portrayed by Jonah Ray Rodrigues, a sound engineer and aspiring prog-rock musician whose life is upended by an array of eccentric characters, including the spineless Scotty, a simpering studio boss, and Vlad, a noisy, sinister neighbor played by Alex Winter. Vladโ€™s untimely, accidental decapitation by William sets off a bizarre chain of events, transforming the film into a dark comedy about a reluctant โ€œserial manslaughterer.โ€

โ€œDestroy All Neighborsโ€ is notable for its unique blend of humor and horror, pivoting on the charm of Rodriguesโ€™ straight-man performance and the rich practical effects, a nod to the style of Frank Henenlotter. The film is a visual treat, showcasing impressive effects from SFX guru Gabe Bartalos, which include moments like a limbless torso playing drums with animated entrails.

Despite its comedic aspirations, the filmโ€™s narrative feels somewhat constrained, focusing heavily on the humor and eccentricities of its characters while leaving little room for deeper exploration of Williamโ€™s character arc. His girlfriend, Emily, played by Kiran Deol, is regrettably relegated to a reactive role, underscoring a missed opportunity to flesh out the storyโ€™s emotional landscape further. Moreover, while breakneck, the filmโ€™s pacing sometimes sacrifices depth for laughs, leading to some characters and comedic moments overstaying their welcome.

The movieโ€™s humor can be a double-edged sword. The jokes and gags, ranging from rock โ€˜nโ€™ roll misunderstandings to exaggerated antics of the undead, offer ample amusement but sometimes feel disconnected from a cohesive narrative thread. However, the chemistry among the cast is palpable, with Rayโ€™s interactions with co-stars being a highlight, showcasing a collaborative energy that buoys the filmโ€™s lighter moments.

โ€œDestroy All Neighborsโ€ is an entertaining, if somewhat uneven, foray into splatter-comedy. Itโ€™s a film that celebrates its rough edges, reveling in its gory, outrageous humor. While it may not delve deeply into character development or narrative complexity, it compensates with a unique visual style and a commitment to its comedic and horror elements.

โ€˜Destroy All Neighborsโ€™ is akin to a chaotic, late-night jam session that careens wildly between notes of absurdity and strokes of genius. Itโ€™s a cinematic experience where the crescendo of laughter meets the shriek of horror, all set to a soundtrack as unpredictable as its plot. In the end, โ€˜Destroy All Neighborsโ€™ doesnโ€™t just knock on the door of conventional horror-comedy; it kicks it down with a drumstick in one hand and a laugh track in the other.

RATING: 3.0 out of 5.0.

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Destroy All Neighbors is now streaming on Shudder.

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2 Responses

  1. Pitfall says:

    I had a blast watching Destroy All Neighbors! The mix of horror and humor kept me entertained from start to finish, and the rock soundtrack was a perfect fit. Definitely a fun ride for horror fans.

  2. lucky martian says:

    The mix of horror and humor in Destroy All Neighbors is spot on. The gore is intense, but the rock soundtrack really adds a fun, energetic vibe. Definitely a wild ride!