Destroy All Neighbors

A number of names seem to leap out during the opening credits for “Destroy All Neighbors”, an over-the-top horror-comedy about irritating neighbors and a self proclaimed “deus ex machina”. The first name that appears is Rich Zim, who directed the best part of the film – the animation of the psychedelically epileptic intertitle sequence that crashes the audience through an internal tunnel filled with the ear wax, eyes, microchips, trees, etc., exploring distorting spaces. Then there’s Batman and Robin features good old make-up special effects supervisor Gabriel Bartalos. Do not forget the lead stars Jonah Ray Rodrigues co-host of “Mystery Science Theatre 3000” & Alex Winter co-director of freaked who also is credited as one of the co-producers as well of ‘Destroy All Neighbors’. You may also spot casting director Charlene Lee who has earlier worked on “Beef” and “Fargo” as well as a few notable sitcoms with the standing cast like “Review” and “Sherman’s Showcase”.

Of all people, props must be given to Lee and her team who is responsible for the distribution of the comedy film “Destroy All Neighbors,” the one that is more appreciated not for the story – or the absurd intrusion of funny gags, makeup effects or the over-the-top performances – but for the friendly sketch comedy interactivity amongst the cast. The plot, or even better, the absence of it is not what makes this movie memorable. There will not be anything left in your head other than disconnected one-liners and one-off gestures. But these images linger because the actors’ reunion made all those moments of their scenes enjoyable and fun.

It has, however, retained a plot, albeit a relatively overused psychodrama about a blocked artist who turns into a spree killer by coincidence. Will (Ray) is still unable to bring to a finish long overdue in the making progressive prog rock (prog squared) album three years long. His girlfriend Emily (Kiran Deol) does not withdraw her support regardless. Shortly thereafter their old neighbor Alec (Pete Ploszek) finally sells the script to someone and a noisy version of the stranger moves into the neighboring apartment. That new neighbor blasts EDM club music at strange hours and is this skinny little troll with Popeye forearms, and a covered with tattoos newsboy hat. It is Vlad (Winter) in the plebeian sense, an eastern caucasian to be politically thyematically correct with a very nice accent who overuses the word. Bro in a very nice way and also enjoys teasing Will.

Will’s narrative only starts developing after he accidentally kills Vlad. Until that event, he is focused on some light mischief as Scotty’s (Thomas Lennon) sound mixer and a spineless recording studio assistant to a drug addicted hot-tempered musician played by Ryan Kattner. Will also nonchalantly runs into Auggie (Christian Calloway), a scruffy homeless man who keeps asking Will for a free croissant that he is out of. Honestly, the plot is not the concern of this place.

What matters for you more is whichever brand of hangout comedies is more up your alley, especially if you already enjoy the Masada-high concepts behind some jokes e g the running gag wherein Scotty tells us what he thinks is the point of rock’n’roll (and he is always dead wrong of course) Or when “Swig” Anderson (Jon Daly) a former p prog rock star and now an internet music adviser gratuitously gives pop fans listening to Will any sort of advice but shares way too much of himself including alimony, ex-partners, about ooh now having to get rid of a human body etc These kinds of jokes have entertaining touches here and there but more often than not they are not quite convincing enough to hold entire scenes. That is somewhat of an issue when it comes to a ridiculously plotless film such as this where all it ever does is jump from one scene to another where an inactive Will discovers how out of control his world can be after he makes the decision to try and defend himself

In the most engaging parts, Ray would feel the weight of several opposing emotions which are quite embarrassing for him to reveal, like a person who is tasting something strange and exotic trying to determine if it is a pleasant taste or not. It is here that this particular West Coast comedy works aptly with jokes about pseudo artists or artists with burnt out creative juices forcing one to roll their eyes and laugh, as well as, non stop stealing of scripts from movies, and jam all day. He too shines in creating space for his co-stars by making sure they are included in every creative proposition he makes.

Ray has always been a team player, which is not surprising especially when considering his role as co-host in “The Nerdist Podcast.” This has also led to Ray working very closely with the creator of “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, Joel Hodgson, and his robotic puppets. Ray has also gotten into low-key fights with Deol, back talked Daly, and haggled with an unseen comedian. The last one is the only thing that has not been shown in the film but seems to be attached to its imdb page. If that last part makes sense to you, then you might be the right audience for “Destroy All Neighbors.”

But you should definitely watch “Destroy All Neighbors” because Ray is a funny guy. He is reviled in this case as an actor who performs and reacts to others, even to the assistance, in ways that are not adequately exploited in a movie that makes fun of a nerdy recluse that wobbles and shrinks with the slightest intrusion from, uh, almost everybody else. There is an effortless charm that Will shares with his co-starring comedians Ray and his co-starring comedians that makes you wish to have some idle time with Will waiting to see where a twist in plot takes Will. “Destroy All Neighbors” should have such silliness as part of it, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been made. The fact that it even works makes it apparent that Ms. Lee and her team are the real stars of the film.

Watch free movies like The Return on Fmovies

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top