2.5 out of 5 stars
As movies begin to creep back into cinemas, there has been a limited selection to consider. Besides Tenet and Trolls World Tour, the majority of films have been smaller independent options. Becky is one of these low-budget films that has been labelled as Home Alone meets John Wick. An interesting combination that the only connection to the Macauley Culkin classic is a child battling villains. While the majority of the storyline would even make the biggest John Wick fan squeamish as it is laden with exceptional levels of violence, gore and bloodshed.
We are introduced to the title character as the 13-year old is coming to terms with the death of her mother. Becky (Lulu Wilson) and her father decide to go away to their holiday cabin in the woods to rebuild their damaged relationship. Not long after they arrive at the cabin, they encounter a group of convicts on the run who are led by the tattooed and vicious Dominick who is played by Kevin James. (Yes, you read that right - Paul Blart) The reason for the home invasion is due to a key that Dominick is after and is in the teen’s possession which Dominick. A scenario that quickly turns from bad to worse. However, due to Becky’s resourcefulness and trying her best impersonation of Home Alone’s Kevin without the same level of humour. She decides to retaliate against her antagonists with a level of violence that will make any horror fan retch with revulsion.
It is this disturbing brutality that earns this film its much-deserved rating that should cause any parent to choose to pass this one by. Unless you can stomach a teenaged girl enacting revenge and violence at unprecedented levels, this one is not for you. Which should have earned this film to be categorised as a horror film and Becky would be the one wielding this extreme vengeance. For those who enjoy this genre, it should be said that many of the scenes towards the end were shot in the dark. This cinematic choice made it difficult to see anything, but this may have been intentional to spare the audience from even more violent actions. Even though we are left to using our imaginations to visualise what things through the horrific sounds coming out of the dark.
Casting Lulu Wilson as Becky did prove to be a good choice for this production. Even at the weakest of times, she does manage to carry the film through the rough patches. While on the other hand, Kevin James did prove to be an awkward fit for this role and it was difficult for him as he tried to take on his first dramatic role. Especially since this man has made a career out of his comedic abilities in film and on television. Although he did embody the role, the writing did not allow him to truly become menacing enough in the end.
Things seem to get off to a good start and some clever comparison shots occur between Becky and Dominick. Any creativeness is quickly abandoned and the whole story turns into a gory mess and leaves the audience confused about the plot’s direction and the true character of the title character. These question marks could have been left open for a potential sequel, but the likelihood of that happening is not likely to occur. Becky seems to only be created for those who are looking for an excessively violent film and they have no problem seeing these acts being perpetrated by a teenaged girl. You have been warned.
REEL DIALOGUE: If vengeance is what you seek, when will it be enough?
Spoiler Alert -Key plot points to be discussed:
Becky is introduced as an angst-ridden teenager having trouble at school as she grieves the loss of her mother who has passed away after a long battle with illness. Her anger is exacerbated by the decision of her father to remarry. The trip away is meant to defuse this emotional tension, but then the family experiences the home invasion. While they are at the cabin, the teen witnesses her father being tortured and killed. Instead of surrendering, she turns on her aggressors and systematically eliminates them one by one.
As she performs each act of violence, these actions lead to the exposure of a dark and sadistic side to the teenaged girl. Which leads to a moral conundrum, because the criminals do seem to warrant the punishment meted by Becky. Yet, one could also wonder if she has now gone to the other extreme and became someone who takes delight in taking the life of another person. A point that comes out as she states that she can not recall what happened during her ordeal as she is being questioned by the police at the end of the movie. Which leaves open the consideration of whether she was performing the acts of violence as a means of protection, anger or vengeance.
The subject of vengeance does get discussed throughout the Bible. Upon study, it shows that human vengeance is always flawed in light of man’s sinfulness and imperfection. Vengeance is never something that mankind should take into their own hands. So, it does beg the questions, who enact justice? Thankfully the Bible tells us that God is the ultimate judge who everyone must face, and it is best left to Him to carry out perfect, righteous anger and judgement.
Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
