Random Acts Of Violence is one of the funnest horror films I have ever seen in my life. And yes, the comic book tie in certainly helped.
If you guys know me, you know that I love a good horror flick. Especially when we get some gruesome murders. Random Acts Of Violence truly delivers on both the plot and the gore. This is a must watch for horror fans. Get ready to think you have it all figured out, and then be shocked when you get to the end!
As a comic book nerd I was immediately hooked because of the opening scene. It is done in a comic book style, complete with word blocks and it is AMAZING. There are some other comic book type clips throughout the film, all of which fit in perfectly.
This movie is about a comic book creator named Todd who goes on a book signing tour with his wife Kathy, assistant Aurora, and the owner of his publishing company Ezra. Things do not go according to plan because people start getting murdered almost immediately. And that’s not all. They are copycat murders — taken directly out of his R-rated slasher comic book, Slasherman.
No Waiting For The Action
One of my biggest pet peeves with horror movies is that the set up usually takes way too long. There is nothing I hate more than waiting for the action to start. Random Acts Of Violence not only has some of the craziest murder scenes I have ever seen in a film, they start off fairly early. Which I was totally here for.
The whole movie goes by quickly and flows really well. There is no dragging at all, which honestly, is rare with a horror film. Usually I check my phone at least once or twice, but not during Random Acts Of Violence. My heart was pounding almost the whole time as I came up with about a hundred different theories, none of which were right.
Gruesome & Bloody
I admit there is probably something wrong with me because I am all about a bloody and gruesome horror movie. I mean, if you are going to kill people off in a film, make it believable and do it right. That is exactly what we get from Random Acts Of Violence.
There are so many shocking murder scenes in this movie I cannot even begin to describe them. And I don’t want to because it would ruin the shock. One of my favorite things about this movie is the tie ins to the comic books that have been written. To see something drawn on the page, and then portrayed in “real life” is pretty epic and amazing.
Toward the end of the movie there is a scene that I literally had to look away from for a second or two — which is how I know it was a good one! That is the type of horror and gore I can appreciate.
Overall Thoughts
Jay Baruchel not only does a great job starring in the movie as Ezra, he also does a phenomenal job as Director of Random Acts Of Violence. I was totally enchanted from the very beginning to the very end. Nothing could make me turn away from this movie, so it is a good thing I didn’t have any responsibilities to take care of while watching it.
As soon as the movie ended, I started it right back over. I needed to look for hints of what was going to happen and discover what I missed. And you know what? It was even better the second time around. Which says a lot for a horror movie.
Random Acts Of Violence is the perfect length — actually, it could have been a bit longer and I would have been fine with that. Often horror movies go on for too long, and have too much of a set up, that by the time the action starts viewers don’t care anymore.
Also, any way to tie together comic books, murders, and a really REALLY good plot, I am here for.
About Random Acts Of Violence
What are the real consequences when life begins to imitate art? Comic book creator Todd Walkley, his wife Kathy, assistant Aurora and best friend, Hard Calibre Comics owner Ezra, embark upon a road trip from Toronto to NYC comic con and bad things start to happen. People start getting killed.
It soon becomes clear that a crazed fan is using Todd’s SLASHERMAN comic as inspiration for the killings and as the bodies pile up, and Todd’s friends and family become victims themselves, Todd will be forced to take artistic responsibility.
In theaters and on-demand in Canada July 31st.
Coming out in the US, UK & Ireland on AMC’s horror streaming platform Shudder August 20th.
Users can sign-up for a 30-day free trial for new members with promo code SHUTIN on Shudder.com!
