Come to Daddy

Director - Ant Timpson (Crab Boy)
Starring - Elijah Wood (Cooties, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), Stephen McHattie (Pontypool, Watchmen), and DC's Legend of Tomorrow, Ant-Man)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The last few days I've found myself watching some rather lackluster cinema.  After watching the funny, yet stretched thin, Corona Zombies from Full Moon and the predictable Superman: Red Son I wanted something fun.  I needed a movie that would bring some fun back to watching movies after being let down by my previous two views.  I looked at my review stack when I remembered I had just received the new Elijah Wood film Come to Daddy.  I had heard great things about this unusual horror comedy and I couldn't wait to toss it in.  

     The film follows Norval (Wood) who is visiting his estranged father after he receives a strange letter from him.  Norval hasn't seen his father for almost 30 years and uses this invitation as a way to reconnect with him.  However, things don't go as smoothly as Norval would have liked.  His dad is distant, rude, and at times strange to him.  One night during a drunken altercation Norval's father dies of an apparent heart attack.  He stays in his home for a few days to get things taken care of when he hears a knock coming from the basement.  When he climbs down the ladder he finds his real father and discovers that his old friends have abducted him in order to collect a debt that he has owed them for some time. 

     Come to Daddy was nothing like I expected.  I knew it was going to be an off beat horror comedy with a solid cast but I wasn't expecting a movie to have such a wild story and such memorable characters.  I can't call this one my favorite of the year so far but it is definitely in the running for top 10.  The acting in this one is great and the cast is top notch.  Wood delivers a great performance.  I wasn't expecting him to portray a character like this but as the film progressed it was clear why he was taking on the role of Norval.  He was so natural in the role and really brings in some humor to the scene.  My favorite performances come from Michael Smiley and Stephen McHattie.  Both their characters were hard ass and rough around the edges but their antics and dialogue brought some intention and unintentional laughs.  They were both scene stealers when they were present and made the film as fun as it was.  The supporting cast was solid but their characters did not have the depth that these three did.  The story for this one is continuously changing it up on the viewer.  Just when you think you know the direction in which the movie is going you quickly find yourself thrown somewhere completely unexpected.  The mix of humor, crime thriller, and horror works so well together especially the off brand humor that would normally cripple a film of this nature.  I was pulled in and I didn't look away until the credits were scrolling.  Finally, the film has some blood and a lot of practical effects that will make your skin crawl at times but don't expect a gore filled splatterpiece.  The kills we get fit the film and work with the story with great practical effects but it's not as messy as I was expecting.  I was hoping for more blood and more memorable kills.  Overall, Come to Daddy is funny, violent, and highly entertaining.  The cast does a great job and the story will hold your attention from beginning to end.  You can pick it up now on DVD and blu.