A Nostalgic Nightmare Wrapped in Creepy Fun
While no one’s calling Mr. Crocket a masterpiece, this Mr. Crocket 2024 review explores how Brandon Espy’s feature length directorial debut delivers a horror movie full of nostalgic fun and untapped potential. Based on his 2022 Hulu Bite Sized Halloween short, Espy expands the concept of childhood innocence turned sinister by crafting a surreal horror film that’s equal parts whimsical and terrifying.
Childhood TV, But Terrifying
Set against the backdrop of 90s children’s television, Mr. Crocket taps into the eerie side of seemingly innocent puppets and overly cheerful hosts… the kind that haunted anyone who grew up watching Barney or Teletubbies.
The story follows desperate mother Summer (Jerrika Hinton) as she frantically searches for her son Major after he’s kidnapped by the titular Mr. Crocket; a demonic children’s TV host. The premise cleverly plays with the nightmare through innocence trope, balancing unsettling imagery with nostalgic familiarity.
Meet Mr. Crocket, Freddy Krueger’s Polite Cousin
Mr. Crocket feels like a strange cross between Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and A Nightmare on Elm Street. His calm, almost comforting presence clashes violently with his malicious intent, recalling Freddy Krueger’s later, more flamboyant sequels.
Espy leans into surrealism here with dreamlike sequences, over the top kills, and fantasy driven visuals that give the film a warped, candy colored energy.
A Scene Stealing Performance
The film’s secret weapon is Elvis Nolasco as Mr. Crocket, who delivers a show stopping performance. His mix of warmth and menace makes even a friendly smile feel sinister. Every scene he’s in elevates the film beyond its uneven script.
The same can’t quite be said for the leads, Jerrika Hinton and Alex Akpobome, while both bring talent, inconsistent writing undercuts them. Their reactions often feel detached from the horror unfolding around them, robbing key moments of emotional weight.
Surprisingly, the side characters steal more of the spotlight. Kristolyn Lloyd (Rhonda) and Alex Morf (Bill) give grounded, dynamic performances that hint at how sharp this film could have been with stronger characterization across the board.
Themes That Almost Hit
Mr. Crocket brushes up against fascinating ideas: child punishment ethics, fractured parent child bonds, and the darkness behind feel good media, but doesn’t dive deep enough.
Crocket’s motivations are vague at best, and the film’s final reveal feels more like a “we had to end this somehow” moment than a true payoff. The bones of something profound are there, but Espy just doesn’t linger long enough to let them take shape.
Visuals That Do the Heavy Lifting
Where the writing wobbles, the visuals absolutely crush. The film’s dream/hell world bursts with grotesque puppets, foggy neon lighting, and warped set design that’s both nostalgic and nightmarish.
The recurring TV static motif, clouding characters’ eyes like white noise, is a clever metaphor for media blindness. It’s creepy, smart, and gives the movie a distinct visual identity.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, this Mr. Crocket 2024 review finds plenty of creepy fun despite the script’s flaws. Likewise, while script may have weak components at times, Mr. Crocket still works. It’s creepy, colorful, and just self-aware enough to be fun without turning into parody. Espy shows real potential as a visual storyteller and with some sharper writing, this could become a cult series in the making.
Elvis Nolasco’s performance alone makes it worth watching, and that opening sequence? Pure nightmare fuel. If you’re hooked in the first five minutes, you’re in for a hell of a time.
Here’s hoping Espy gets another chance to play in the sandbox, because Mr. Crocket 2 could be the kind of sequel that really plays with the dark magic of nostalgia.