Mr. Crocket (2024) Film Review – Demented Fun for All the Family [Fantastic Fest]

Posted on by Jim Cox

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Mr. Crocket is a 2024 American period horror, written and directed by Brandon Espy with additional writing by Carl Reid. Brandon is mostly known as the writer/director of many short films such as Glass Jaw (2016), and Kiara (2022). Whereas Carl, though mostly a writer, has also directed his own short films such as Jamie, Michelle, and The Saddish Radish (2022), and Cancelled (2022).

In 1993, a mysterious children’s show host, Mr. Crocket, magically emerges from television sets to kidnap young children, brutally slaying their parents in the process. After Mr. Crocket snatches her son, one determined mother embarks on a perilous quest to track down the demonic entertainer and rescue her boy.

Mr. Crocket's World!
A shot from the fictitious Mr. Crocket’s Singalong

Playing out similarly to modern creepypastas such as Candle Cove, Lizzie and Friends, and Faith Buddies; Mr. Crocket perfectly encapsulates the uncanny creepiness of 80s-90s public access children’s shows. While set in 1993-94, the film doesn’t throw in the audience’s face with an exaggerated bombardment of nostalgia. Instead, a fairly natural implementation of the period and, most importantly, a more realistic depiction of such a time aids in keeping the film grounded for those who experienced the late 1900’s.

Although Mr. Crocket has a darkly comedic undertone, this element remains undeviating throughout–remaining as a side element that compliments the film’s oppressive atmosphere of vulnerability rather than becoming a self-aware horror comedy. Additionally, the film also takes a painfully dark look at broken homes, offering a stark look at the hardships some children have to face in their daily lives. From physical and verbal abuse to drug-addicted parents and a life of squaller, the film holds little back in depicting the darker side of home life.

Beginning as a fairly standard visual display, the film’s cinematography seemingly evolves with the pacing and narrative. While the first act offers a range of wide-angled shots, as the film progresses to the second, the shots become much more tight and enclosed–becoming suffocatingly claustrophobic towards the final act.

Providing a parallel mix of practical and CGI effects, Mr. Crocket bestows a gruesomely gory display with its portrayal of violence. While the inclusion of CGI for certain scenes is understandable, with effects seemingly unfeasible to attain pragmatically–the incorporation of practical effects and puppetry instead of an over-reliance on digital technology undoubtedly increases the production value as a whole. Furthermore, the use of neon pink and purple lighting around the digital dimension of Mr. Crocket’s effectively imbues an ethereal, other-worldly aura.

While the entire cast embodies their roles flawlessly, with main protagonists Jerrika Hinton and Ayden Gavin delivering a tender rendition of a mother and son struggling with the untimely death of their husband/father. However, the standout performance comes from the titular Mr. Crocket, played by Elvis Nolasco, who steals the show. With a captivating mix of Mr. Rodgers and Candyman, Evlis’ wholehearted embrace of the role makes for a memorable experience.

Demented fun for all the family, Mr.Crocket is a distinctive blend of The Ring and children’s public access TV that’s sure to stay with audiences long after the TV has been switched off. With incredible performances from its cast, enchanting effects, and developing visuals, the film is a remarkably unique take on nostalgic horror and is sure to entice those of a certain age who remember these shows with a certain level of underlying fear.

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We watched Mr. Crocket (2024) as part of this year’s Fantastic Fest 2024. The film is available to stream from Hulu on October 11.

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