Ick
NR/Sci-Fi/Horror/Comedy/92 Mins
Directed by: Joseph Kahn
Written by: Joseph Kahn, Dan Kootz, Samuel Laskey
Starring: Brandon Routh, Mena Suvari, Malina Weissman, Harrison Cone and Jeff Fahey
Review:
When a film opens with “Swing Swing” by The All-American Rejects and then follows up with “The Reason” by Hoobastank, you’ll have my undivided attention. You come for the early 2000s rock mixtape soundtrack, you stay for the off-the-wall brain candy for the ADHD soul that is: ICK.
Ick follows Hank, former high school football star turned science teacher in the small town of Eastbrook. In this rural community, black goo covered tentacles known by its residents as the “ick” infect almost every inch of the town. Most horror films would acknowledge the danger of this unknown substance and the effect it has on the inhabitants. However, in Eastbrook, no one seems to give a shit. This causes an issue with Hank and his student (and also his potential daughter) Grace, who must team up to save the town from this alien annihilation. Hank is having a hell of a week…
As a huge fan of Joseph Kahn’s previous films (especially Torque and Detention), I expected this film to be full of fast paced editing, lightning quick dialogue and odd/unique characters. Ick is brimming with all of that, to the point where this film warrants rewatches to be able to catch every visual cue or joke. It moves at an accelerated pace and jumps to plot points so rapidly it feels like someone drank a coffee brewed with 5 hour energy and then proceeded to tell a horror tale around a campfire. Kahn continues to show that he is one of the most unique filmmakers working today and there won’t be another film you watch this year that will be like Ick.
An aspect that I found very refreshing in this type of horror film is how they use the looming threat. Other films, it would hint at the danger in the background slowly making its way to the forefront. Eventually, it’ll all lead to a violent climax over the course of a single night. That’s not the case here with Ick. Regarding this substance, it’s been in the town for several decades. It’s part of the residents’ everyday life. They don’t know much about it, nor do they care to. It’ll mutate and slaughter a bunch of drunk teenagers at a party. The parents are worried about their prom being cancelled the following day. Obviously, this world is an over-the-top exaggeration of ours and uses the “ick” as a comedic metaphor to how real-life society reacts to (or ignores) the deadly dangers of our planet.
It’s not all body horror and unknown substances, the other thing that stuck the most with me was the father- (maybe) daughter relationship between Hank and Grace. Both Brandon Routh and Malina Weissman are exceptional. The chemistry between them is strong and the way they bounce off each other with his nerdy energy and her cynical attitude makes them a fun duo to watch. Routh, in particular, has always been a likable presence and every time he appears in a movie or tv show, he always brings that radiant charm that makes him a hero to root for.
Another character that made quite the impact isn’t a person, it’s the head banging soundtrack. A creature feature set entirely to early 2000s rock. That should be all I need to say to get you to see this in a theater. Every needle drop brought out that nostalgic feeling (as well as me feeling super old) but it also had purpose. A dilemma that Hank faces throughout the film is the hesitation to move on from his past. Primarily linking his past to the present is his old MP3 player (“It holds 10 songs!” – Hank). Using this device, it brings the nostalgia out of him as well as the audience member.
It appeals to the older generation but this PG-13-esque rating also keeps this horror comedy available to young tweens and teens who are just discovering the horror genre. Ick is never overtly terrifying and keeps it light enough to be accessible to even some non-horror fans. This has future cult classic, watched at a sleepover all over it. Like the nostalgic songs that play throughout, Ick is a tune that you’ll want to listen to over and over again. Score: 8/10
“ICK” WILL HAVE A 3 DAY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT THROUGH FATHOM EVENTS JULY 27-29TH. GET TICKETS HERE: https://www.fandango.com/ick-240862/movie-overview
