B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Brandon Espy’s Mr. Crocket into the ol’ VCR. 

CW/TW: child ab*s*, drug ab*s*, extreme gore/violence, DV, and all like topics

Mr. Crocket has been on my radar for a hot minute.

It closed out Fantastic Fest, which is always a good sign, so I was counting down the days until it hit Hulu. 

I watched it this morning, and I only have one thing to say: 

Mr. Crocket is one of the best horror movies I’ve seen this year. 

The practical effects and puppets are incredible.

Every single person in this cast gives an excellent performance. 

There’s an excellent payoff. 

TL;DR – all of my horror peeps need to see this movie, especially if you love the world of analog horror. 

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. 

For those not in the know, here’s a quick rundown: 

Set in 1993, mysterious little libraries containing VHS copies of Mr. Crocket’s World begin popping up in front yards across a community. However, when children start disappearing, with only the mutilated bodies of their parents left behind, it becomes clear that a friend like Mr. Crocket can be more of an enemy. 

Additionally, Mr. Crocket is based on Brandon Espy’s Bite Size Halloween horror short (also on Hulu) that, at least in my opinion, served as proof of concept for this film. 

This movie is like if you blended analog horror with Nightmare on Elm Street and threw in a pitch of Candyman and a smidge of The Babadook in for good measure. 

It does deal with the topics of child ab*s* and neglect, but it also tackles themes of grief and the stressors of adulthood. 

I also LOVE the decision to make this a mixed-media film that blends analog horror with animation and practical effects. If you plan on making a film that implores all of these different mediums, take notes because THIS is how it’s done. 

I don’t want to spoil Mr. Crocket for you too much because a) it sincerely just dropped today and b) I think it’s worth experiencing it for yourself. 

It’s as if Freddy Krueger hosted Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and you deserve to see this unholy alliance yourself. 

Additionally, I don’t really have any criticisms for this one. 

The only thing I could even potentially touch is/are the contacts they use when Rhonda (Kristolyn Lloyd) mind melds with Mr. Crocket, but again, that would just be nitpicky, and I don’t really think that criticism is deserved. 

I know that this movie isn’t analog horror, but I think it reaffirms what I say about YouTube being the future of horror because there are several analog horror series I could see being successful films if they were executed this same way. 

Now, I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the CWs/TWs. 

This movie does have scenes the depict child ab*s* and drug ab*s*, and they could definitely be triggering. 

As someone who had an ab*s*v* father, I totally hear you and see you. That’s why I want to make sure you don’t take my CWs/TWs lightly. 🖤

If you’re a fan of the likes of analog horror series like Not Your Normal Kids Show or Mr. Samuel’s Tea Time or any of the movies I’ve mentioned throughout your piece, definitely give Mr. Crocket a go.