Synopsis:
It’s not an entirely original concept, but ‘Come Play’ is the type of horror film that can connect with kids without giving them the chills they won’t be able to shake. It accomplishes this without resorting to excessive violence, gore, or nudity.
Cast & Crew:
Jacob Chase| Director
Gillian Jacobs| Actor
Azhy Robertson| Actor
John Gallagher Jr| Actor
Winslow Fegley| Actor
Rachel Wilson| Actor
Story:
When a mysterious creature named Larry wants to befriend young Oliver and kidnap him, his parents must go to any length to save him. However, there is a cost.
Review:
Oliver (Azhy Robertson) is a mute Autistic child living with his mother, who has recently divorced. Oliver’s life is difficult because he can only communicate through his phone, which he even carries to school. Oliver has no friends, and because he is different, he is the target of school bullies. But there is someone who wishes to take Oliver’s hand and be his lifelong friend. Larry is a self-admittedly misunderstood monster in search of a friend.
It’s not an entirely original concept, but ‘Come Play’ is the type of horror film that can connect with kids without giving them the chills they won’t be able to shake. It accomplishes this without resorting to excessive violence, gore, or nudity.
Jacob Chase, the writer-director, invests more in his characters than in creating innovative scares, which is both a good and a bad thing. On the plus side, we get to know and empathize with the protagonist Oliver and his family, but aside from a few spooky moments and atmospherics, the overall fabric of the film lacks the intensity of a full-fledged horror experience. The screenplay moves slowly and burns slowly.
The monster Larry is a good idea, but it is heavily influenced by the 2014 Australian blockbuster ‘The Babadook.’ While Chase successfully creates a terrifying and insane creature that comes to life through smartphones and tablets, he makes no effort to give Larry his own plot. Instead, we see standard horror tropes like flickering light bulbs (due to Larry’s reliance on electricity) and a dimly lit house in a quiet neighborhood. We also get cliches like school bullies and elders who believe demonic creatures are just a child’s imagination.
What saves the day, then, are some spirited performances that elevate the story from ordinary to engaging. Azhy Robertson, who plays the vulnerable Oliver, is the most convincing of them all. Robertson’s character has the restraint and relatability of a lonely child who suffers silently as a result of his own physical limitations and a dysfunctional family. Winslow Fegley, like Byron, stands out among the other kids. Sarah and Marty, played by Gillian Jacobs and John Gallagher Jr., are perfectly cast as Oliver’s young parents. Their struggle to cope with their disabled child and their own differences is palpable.
‘Come Play’ strives to be unique and, to some extent, succeeds. It culminates in a surreal climax that empathy unbreakable bond between a mother and a child. Overall, it’s a merely passable horror saga that prioritizes characters over chaos, killings, and cringe-worthy special effects. Come play if you’re interested.
