Destroy All Neighbors (2024) - Movie Review
What do you get when a group of mostly unknown filmmakers decides to make a Prog-Rock themed horror comedy?
One of the most enjoyable film experiences in a long time.
Let’s discuss.
Destroy All Neighbors is a 2024 Horror Comedy brought to us by director Josh Forbes and writers Mike Benner, Jared Logan, and Charles A. Pieper. Yes, this film carries the traditional kiss of death, more than 2 writers being credited. Buuuuut, somehow they escaped the normal pit falls of having multiple writers and somehow kept the film coherent. It helps that the crux of the film is a basic idea—
The movie focuses William Brown, a prog rock obsessed musician who’s struggling to complete his first album. He’s on the last track and just can’t find it in himself to finish the job. He instead dwells in his own neuroses, focusing on how bad his crappy job is, how annoying his needy landlord is and how devilishly evil his new neighbor turned out to be. He blames all his misfortune on someone else, but when he’s finally forced to confront his own passive, pushover, spineless behavior—he instead lashes out and accidentally murders his neighbor. Unfortunately, the neighbor won’t stay dead. Neither will any of William’s other “accidental” victims. As the law closes in and the bodies pile up, will William find the inspiration to finish his album or will he continue his quick descent down the toilet.
It’s almost too simple a premise to summarize. I saw a lot of publicity about the film, mostly because of my lifelong love of anything that features Alex Winter, but the trailers and press didn’t do the movie justice. This is a laugh out loud comedy that doesn’t mess around. The movie tells its story in a tight, streamlined 85 minute runtime. It’s so refreshing to watch a movie that’s less than 2 1/2 hours, especially when the movie is laugh out loud funny.
Which this one is.
That’s not to say they skimped on the horror elements. The gore and violence is downright brutal at some points, but it’s mixed into the humor so well that it could stand up against the kings of the Horror-Comedy landscape like 2010’s Tucker and Dale vs. Evil and the 1992 masterpiece Army of Darkness.
Alex Winter is fantastic as the crazy neighbor Vlad. The practical effects make him unrecognizable, but much like in the brilliant Freaked, Winter’s trademark humor and heart shine through.
That’s not to say the other actors don’t bring it, as it’s quite the opposite. This is an ensemble film that gives each of its oddball characters a chance to shine. It helps that the supporting cast is a dream team of character actors like Thomas Lennon, Kumail Nanjiani, and Randee Heller.
Shout-out to Kumail Nanjiani who is one of the rare comedic actors who lost weight and maintained their comedic timing. So often when comedians get jacked, or lose weight, the just lose something. Look at Drew Carey for example, he lost all his weight and turned into a creepy man child who couldn’t make you laugh to save his life.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Jonah Ray, the lead actor here, and I despised his character at the beginning of the film, but that’s the point. By the end of the film, I was rooting for him. He plays the role of William like a Middle-Aged Napoleon Dynamite and it works.
The effects in the film are incredible and almost entirely practical. It’s no surprise, as the main make-up artist on the film was the phenomenal Bill Corso. Corso’s work has been features all over Hollywood, especially if Harrison Ford is involved—as he is Mr. Ford’s personal make-up artist.
This is a fun, host a watch party type of movie that shouldn’t be missed.
Watch this with friends as soon as you can.
It’s currently streaming on Shudder.
