Better Watch Out might not be some Christmas horror classic but it is surprisingly well done featuring two great performances from Olivia DeJonge and Levi Miller who is absolutely mental.
Better Watch Out
(2017)
Genre(s): Horror, Comedy
Well Go USA | R – 89 min. – $29.98 | December 5, 2017
Date Published: 11/22/2017 | Author: The Movieman
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Note: This review contains spoilers, so beware.
THE MOVIE — 3.0/5 |
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Better Watch Now is a nice, darkly comedic, addition to the ever growing line of Christmas horror and although it doesn’t quite reach the creepy factor it perhaps intended, there’s no doubt it was entertaining for what it is. The plot of the film finds Ashley (OLIVIA DEJONGE) babysitting Luke (LEVI MILLER), a 13/14 year old who has a major crush on the pretty blonde, despite she being five years older. It was supposed to be a quiet night of eating pizza and watching slasher films but turns into their own nightmare when a stranger has apparently targeted the home to terrorize.
And here I’m going into spoiler territory, though the “twist” is revealed within the first 20 minutes or so. Well, the invader is in fact Luke’s best friend, Garrett (ED OXENBOULD) and the plan was for Luke to be Ashley’s savior and thus she’ll fall for him. Plan obviously did not work. Things go from bad to worse to deviant and demented when Luke knocks Ashley out and when she comes to, is tied to a chair where she is psychologically tormented. And the party really starts going, for Luke anyway, when Ashley’s boyfriend (ALEKS MIKIC), drops by. The remainder of the movie is basically a psychological horror pitch black comedy of a psycho teen fulfilling his dark fantasies on his hot babysitter with a devious plan – since she’s set to move – put in motion apparently before the night even began.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Better Watch Out and although it’s a hardly perfect holiday horror or anything, it’s still entertaining enough and the cast, led way by Olivia DeJonge (who I forgot was in M. Night’s The Visit; ditto on Ed Oxenbould) and Levi Miller, actually delivered solid performances. Oh, and Patrick Warburton and Virginia Madsen have minor roles as Luke’s parents, unfortunately the two are only in the film for maybe a couple of minutes. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.25/5 |
| This release comes with a reflective, title-embossed, slip cover. Features included an extensive Making-of (52:41; HD) featurette with behind-the-scenes footage and on-set interviews; and the Trailer. |
VIDEO – 3.75/5 |
| Better Watch Out comes to Blu-ray presented with a 1080p high-definition transfer and a 2.39 widescreen aspect ratio. This isn’t a particularly great looking picture but detail is pretty good and there is decently bright since most of the movie takes place inside the house. Black levels might not be the best, however. |
AUDIO – 4.0/5 |
| The included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is serviceable providing crisp and clean dialogue levels. The bulk of the audio outputs through the center channel while the fronts and rears seem relegated for off-screen sounds (like Ashley mmmphing screams through her duct taped mouth) or the generic score. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
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Overall, Better Watch Out might not be some Christmas horror classic but it is surprisingly well done featuring two great performances from Olivia DeJonge and Levi Miller who is absolutely mental. The Blu-ray released by Well Go USA offers up good video/audio transfers and a rather lengthy making-of documentary. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.