Unmissable!
Summary
Becky shows us a side of Kevin James we have never seen before but it’s Lulu Wilson who shines as the unhinged protagonist who will punish the villains worse than they could possibly imagine. It’s gloriously violent and one of the year’s best action thrillers.
Plot: Spunky and rebellious Becky tries to reconnect with her father during a weekend getaway at a lakefront house. But the trip soon takes a turn for the worse when convicts on the run, led by the merciless Dominick, suddenly invade the home.
Review: I think Jonathan Milott & Cary Murnion are two of the most interesting directors working today; I absolutely loved Bushwick with Dave Bautista and their latest action thriller entitled Becky is another winner. They make unconventional movies that may not be mainstream but that’s why they are so special; the stories are unpredictable and at times the characters can be challenging and none more so than in Becky.
We’re used to seeing Kevin James usually playing cuddly, likable goofballs in movies like Paul Blart: Mall Cop but in Becky he plays a Neo-Nazi called Dominick and he has rarely been better. I never thought I would see him as threatening but he pulls it off making this a role that should get him many accolades.
Joel McHale plays Becky’s dad who has a strained relationship with her since her mother died; he has found himself a new lady and Becky is none too happy but when a gang of Neo-Nazi’s invade their home she takes teen angst to a whole new level.
As impressive as James is in this production it’s Becky (Lulu Wilson) who steals the show; she has incredibly expressive eyes that portray so many emotions at once from anger to sadness to betrayal. She is not a character you ever really like per se but when she becomes a teenage Rambo it’s hard not to get carried away with the glorious bloodbath that ensues.
Actually, Becky makes Rambo look like a choirboy in comparison taking no prisoners and using anything at her disposal as a weapon. She is arguably more dangerous and frankly psychotic than the bad guys which makes this an unforgiving watch. This is one of the most unflinchingly violent movies you’ll watch this year but it’s also one of the best and I’ll happily return to it many times in the future. Because the villains are Nazis then you never feel bad for them and enjoy watching them get what they deserve so you do find yourself cheering for Becky despite her clearly being mentally unstable.
The music score from Nima Fakhrara is totally unique making the movie feel even more unsettling and it helps to ratchet up the tension.
Becky is 90 minutes long and there isn’t an ounce of fat on it; every scene is necessary and keeps the pacing tight and engaging. Characters don’t always do what you expect keeping you guessing as to what will happen next.
Overall, Becky is surprisingly one of the best action movies of the year with Kevin James as you’ve never seen him before and a protagonist who is even crazier than the villains making this essential viewing. I probably wouldn’t eat anything while watching though… just a suggestion.