Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, new movies in 2020 were few and far between. With theaters being closed anything that was released came through streaming services or straight to disc. The independent horror film “Becky” was picked up by Redbox for distribution. This movie plays is like a modern-day Grindhouse feature that would feel at home in the 1970s. Loaded with over-the-top violence and filled with larger-than-life characters.
Becky is played by the new horror queen Lulu Wilson, who also starred in “Ouiji: Origin of Evil” and “Annabelle: Creation”. Becky is a 13-year-old angsty teen who has recently lost her mother to cancer. Her father Jeff is played by Joel McHale, who plays against type but not nearly to the extent as our bad guy Dominik, played by Kevin James. Dominik is a bearded Aryan brotherhood white supremacist with a big swastika tattooed on the back of his shaven head. Dominik and his crew are prison inmates planning to escape during a prison transfer. The filmmakers cleverly intercut scenes of Becky in Junior High with Dominick in prison. Are they really that different?
Jeff has planned for them and their dog Diego to stay the weekend at the family cabin. Becky has this angry Avril Lavigne vibe going for her as refuses to make any attempt to connect with her father on the car trip there. She even steals some gummy worms at the gas station. Upon arriving at the cabin, Jeff drops a bomb in telling Becky that they will be joined by his new girlfriend and her little boy. Infuriated Becky retreats to her little clubhouse like fort in the woods to sulk. In the meantime, Dominick’s plan is a success and they carjack and murder a father and his two kids. Apex is the name of Dom’s right-hand man. He is an absolute beast and looks to be chiseled out of granite. He is played by Robert Maillet, an ex-Canadian wrestler, who is 6’10”. Although he does play “good cop” in the relationship with Dom.
Becky is now preparing for war and seriously you wouldn’t want to cross a 13-year-old girl anyway. Back at the fort with her dog she makes some modified weapons and her first victim approaches and tries to lure her out. This guy is no match and is viciously killed with a broken ruler through the neck. Our blood-spattered Becky is just getting warmed up as she sets a trap for the next guy and lures him out to the dock. After a slight tussle he falls into the water and similar to the film “I Spit on Your Grave” Becky gets into the boat fires up the motor with the propellor doing the rest. Her biggest test now comes in the form of Apex, who towers over little Becky. He punches out her dog and throws Becky around like a rag doll. As he goes in for the kill, he remembers the two kids he killed earlier and can’t do it, so he quietly walks away (until the climax, of course).
Now Dominick is in Becky’s sights. After a little cat and mouse game, they meet head to head at the fire pit. Dom gives a bad guy speech to which Becky shoots him with a water gun filled with alcohol, momentarily setting him ablaze, but it’s put out before any real damage occurs. Dom grabs her and punches her in the face a couple of times. He then holds her down and points a real gun at her only to have Apex come to her rescue. While fighting with Dom he is shot a couple of times. Meanwhile, Becky gets atop an ATV with a mower attachment, yeah you can see where this is going. With Dom on the ground, she drives smooth over him the mover chopping off his face and half his skull. Apex is still alive but no longer a threat, never the less Becky picks up the gun and shoots him in the head.
Earlier in the film, Kayla screams at Dominik “What was the point of all this?” This is a damn good question. The film is bookended with Becky being questioned by investigators as to what went on. She plays it cool, calm, and innocent. She still wears the key around her neck, but what it's for is never explained. Is it supposed to be metaphorical or what? With a keen, all-knowing look Becky tears away at a gummy worm. “Becky” is a fun little midnight movie that is crazy gory and not to be taken all that seriously. It has a number of comedic beats, but overall this is a movie about a teen girl who takes a page from Hit Girl in the movie “Kick-Ass” and just takes care of business.