The coming-of-age genre often examines, first love, mischief, growth, or pivotal personal discovery moments that radically change a person’s life. In “Becky,” filmmakers Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion’s new movie, the transformative coming-of-age idea is flipped into something that will be forever remembered as horrible, violent and grim. A surprisingly well-acted, intense, and somewhat grindhouse-y attempt at a coming-of-age flick, “Becky” looks at how one’s primal instincts of survival and a tragedy can mark your formative years.
After her mother’s tragic death a year ago, Becky (Lulu Wilson) is still overcome with grief and immense emotional distress, acting out against everyone in her life. And when Becky’s forced to join her father (Joel McHale) on a family vacation at her childhood cabin in the woods, where she’s confronted by her father’s new partner (Amanda Brugel) and her young son, the emotions are simply too much to handle. Distressed, Becky goes running off into the woods in what turns out to be a fortuitous moment. Because her life is about to get thrown into further chaos when four escaped prisoners, led by a neo-Nazi named Dominick (Kevin James, no really), come to Becky’s cabin in search of a mysterious key, leading to a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the 13-year-old girl and the neo-Nazi that threatens the lives of her father and guests.
The plot of “Becky” does eventually devolve into a hard-R, gory “Home Alone,” with the young teen girl setting deadly traps for her murderous enemies. But the relatively thin, somewhat cryptic story (there aren’t a ton of answers about the neo-Nazi’s motivations, which will frustrate some people) isn’t what keeps you engaged over the taut 100-minute run-time.
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The film’s heart and soul is the teenage girl at the center, Becky, her emotional trauma and growing anger that leads her down a road of vengeance so disturbing you’re no longer sure if you should root for her.
“Becky” would entirely fall apart if not for the excellent performance from Lulu Wilson in the lead role. In the sentimental flashbacks that show the young teen’s relationship with her sick mother, Wilson is a cheerful, robust, and loving child. But after the horrors she witnesses in the first act of the film (and there are two devastating moments early on that prove Milott and Murnion aren’t pulling punches), you fully buy into the anguish and anger that overcomes Becky. The trauma is visible in her eyes at all times, and the visceral screams pierce your heart, as you know she’ll never be the same if she can somehow survive.
Wilson’s performance carries the film, but it’s the casting of Kevin James that really shows the confidence of “Becky,” as the actor often steals the movie with his intense, terrifying performance. James is obviously known for his softball comedy work, whether it’s as the doofus mall cop in the “Paul Blart” films or as Adam Sandler’s goofball buddy in the “Grown Ups” movies. In “Becky,” however, James is downright menacing. As a neo-Nazi, covered in swastika tattoos, threatening to murder people and spouting racist ideologies while commanding a group of goons, James is downright chilling. What could be seen as stunt casting works in ways you couldn’t possibly predict.
Terrific casting and performances aside, the real joy of “Becky” is in the execution of a story that seems too paper-thin to work. The ‘what if we turned ‘Home Alone’ a horrific home invasion thriller?’ conceit is apparent, but only in the way that Becky is shown setting up traps and outsmarting thugs. What separates “Becky” from that family-friendly comedy—beyond the overt, vicious, grim Hard-R violence— are the consequences and sheer visceral emotional catharsis of a teenager exacting some rather brutal revenge. Forget hitting a bad guy’s head with a paint can in a cartoonish way. The “Becky” violence is rancorous and often, disgusting. Without spoiling some of the most devilishly fun moments, suffice it to say, you’ve never seen water guns, rulers, and pencils used quite this maliciously before. And the bad guys? After Becky is done with them, they’re never getting back up again.
The violence teeters into the overwrought and somewhat ridiculous territory at times, but these scenes often serve as a reprieve from the emotionally devastating moments that drive the film. The directors know that what Becky does to the villains isn’t great for her fragile state of mind (the consequences of the actions do become part of the story). However, despite some of the distasteful ferocity and the way you question the kid’s mental health, you still end up ultimately rooting for her.
Given the unexpected casting, the mad story, and the gratuitous violence, “Becky” could have quickly flown off the rails. Yet, the performances are pitch-perfect. The story has enough surprises that any obvious influences promptly fade away, and the gore is hard-hitting but also twistedly pleasurable in its cathartic satisfaction (these fuckers get what they deserve). “Becky” takes coming of age tropes and turns it into loss of innocence, offering a glimpse at what might happen when a trip a beautiful cabin goes from bliss into terror. Besides its emotional texture, which will take you by surprise, more importantly, at the end of the day, “Becky” is a lot of enjoyably perverse fun. [B+]
“Becky” is available now on VOD.
