I’m going to be using the word “weird” a lot over the following paragraphs. Not in a demeaning way, but instead as a measure of praise. Oftentimes, body horror can be explicit and downright uncomfortable, even under the best of narrative circumstances. Yet, somehow, when the delivery is through animation rather than a traditional live-action format, the result is both stylized and cleverly weird. Now, combine that effect with a rag-tag band of misfits, a flair for 80s nostalgia, and a familiar coming-of-age story, and the outcome is not only weirdly original but weirdly comforting.
From the executive producers behind Rick and Morty and from the mind of director Zach Passero comes the gross, absurd, bizarre, and weirdly charming little tale The Weird Kidz. A group of pre-teen boys, an older brother, his girlfriend, and a lovable dog head off for a weekend campout. Despite the promise of low-key casualness, nothing is as it seems. Whispers of a roaming monster known as the “Night Child” capture their bold imaginations, but when the campfire stories turn out to be true, the gang finds themselves in for a night of terror.
Though it is not just creepy, crawly monsters awaiting the group, but a band of crazed town folks, cults, and the oncoming thrust of puberty. Through shocks, awe, and a surprising amount of laughs, The Weird Kidz blends comedy with gross-out body horror into a splendid little package. It’s a send-up of the 1980s, but in a story that feels fresh and elevated.
Conceptually, there is no way to tell this story in live action without a massive budget and scale. Even then, it might not work. The story itself adheres to the coming-of-age tropes found in lovable favorites like The Goonies and, in the modern context, Stranger Things. The quirky and specific animation style allows for a greater intimacy in both experiencing the story and understanding the characters.
The gang itself on this camping trip is a lovable band of weirdos who find themselves in over their heads. Our lead is Dug (Tess Passero), the late-bloomer of the group. He struggles to find his footing but steals our hearts when he teams up with his brother, Wyatt (Ellar Coltrane). Rounding out the group are Fatt (Brian Ceely), Dug’s best friend, who is undergoing a hormonal awakening; Mel (Glenn Bolton), Dug’s other best friend and brain trust; and Mary (Sydney Wharton), Wyatt’s girlfriend, searching for adventure. And pulling up the rear is man’s best friend and Mel’s dog, Grumbles.
The story diverges onto two separate paths once night falls and the mysterious Night Child shows itself. For lack of a better word, everyone has their own voice. It is an ensemble piece with well-crafted characters. Even when the stakes are amputations and wild local cult rituals, their focus remains on the core group, making it a story of adventure and growth.
There is a clear throughline from the type of humor found in Rick and Morty and what happens in this film. Meaning the jokes are sharp and the humor is never bottom-barrel raunch. Crude, but never crass, and swaddled in sophistication that works in tandem with the cinematic homages at play here.
It becomes weird once the situation elevates, and even weirder when sacrifices are on the table. Though the story never devolves into parody or overindulges in the truly absurd. It is an expert balance between being strange and earnest. Yet, somehow the film keeps an even keel in both directions.
The Weird Kidz owes its origins to beloved creature features of yesteryear and coming-of-age dramas that dominated the 1980s. And yet, the delivery here, through a unique design and heartfelt story, is worthy of praise. Here’s to easily the weirdest-looking animated film and to the weirdly original story. Throw a log on a campfire, and gather a crowd; this is one to celebrate and, most of all, experience. The Kidz are alright!
The Weird Kidz is now playing in select theaters as a part of a theatrical roadshow courtesy of Antenna Releasing. You can find the theatrical schedule on the film’s website here.
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The Weird Kidz owes its origins to beloved creature features of yesteryear and coming-of-age dramas that dominated the 1980s. And yet, the delivery here, through a unique design and heartfelt story, is worthy of praise.
Writing & podcasting, for the love of movies.
His Letterboxd Favorites: The Dark Knight, Halloween, Jaws & Revenge of The Sith.
