VILLAINS ****

Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen

This is a cleverly crafted dark comedy horror with super editing in a plot that keeps us rooting for the two main not so mean characters, Mickey (Bill Skarsgard) and Jules (Maika Munroe). This is a goofy pair of lovers who rob.  No Bonnie and Clyde, these two are on the lamb, having just snatched lots of money from a convenience store -- disguised as a vulture and unicorn robber-duo. Off to Florida in the car, Mickey forgot to fill the car up, and so they get stuck. They end up  breaking into a house looking for car keys, but they soon discover something else: a little girl chained up in the basement.


The  house owners, George (Jeffrey Donovan) and Gloria (Kyra Sedgwick) are one pair of sickoes who make their intruders morph into awesome angels. The lines are deliciously witty and dunderhead hilarious.  There’s just the right amount of “blood letting”: in suspenseful scenes that are really unusual and thrilling.

Trying to free the girl (who is not as sweet as it would seem) backfires in horrid unpredictable ways. George and Gloria’s psychopathic actions make for memorable film history. Great acting with authentic low-key delivery from the cast creates ironic c intense impact.  Careful how you punish your children. It’s a quirky comedy all the way, with explosive moments that show everyone has his/her Achilles heal. Surprise after surprise catapults Villains into uniquely entertaining horror status.