Whimsical Icon Goes Dark in Chilling Tale
Read Time:3 Minute, 36 Second
MOVIE REVIEW
The Mouse Trap
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Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 20m
Director(s): Jamie Bailey
Writer(s): Simon Phillips
Cast: Simon Phillips, Nick Biskupek, Sophie McIntosh, James Laurin, Mireille Gagné, Damir Kovic, Calum Sywyk, Allegra Nocita, Ben Harris, Mackenzie Mills, Jesse Nasmith, Madeline Kelman, Liam Grue, Kayleigh Styles
Where To Watch: releasing on VOD on August 6, 2024, and DVD and Blu-Ray on August 13
RAVING REVIEW: Alex’s (Sophie McIntoch) 21st birthday, set against the backdrop of a bustling arcade, takes a chilling turn when a figure donned in a Mickey Mouse costume crashes the party. This night, meant for celebration, spirals into a haunting ordeal as THE MOUSE TRAP weaves childhood whimsy into a tapestry of terror. This unexpected blend of youthful nostalgia and spine-chilling horror delivers an unsettling and intriguing experience.
Don’t get me wrong; this is what it is: a low-budget horror film that leans heavily (although not as much as expected) on the fact that the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain. This sentence is still weird for me to hear; I guess a company worth almost 200 billion even has its limitations in changing the law permanently.
Director Jamie Bailey and producer/writer/actor Simon Phillips reimagine the icon himself, Mickey Mouse, transforming the cheerful (insert laugh) character into a source of dread. Bailey’s creative pivot casts a shadow over the once-loved mascot, tapping into a darker narrative that melds innocence with fear. “The shift to darker tones was a thrilling journey,” Bailey reveals, capturing the essence of the film’s intent to stir the shadows of familiarity into fright.
Simon Phillips embodies the malevolent Mickey with an eerie, compelling, almost Michael Myers-like performance. Phillips excels in flipping the script on Mickey’s character, introducing an element of horror to the beloved figure. “Taking Mickey to these dark places was both challenging and exciting,” Phillips comments, reflecting his enthusiasm for this unconventional role.
The production team straddles the line between homage and innovation, featuring Paul Whitney, Mark Popejoy, Alexander Gausman, Andrew Agopsowicz, and Filmcore’s Mem Ferda. They create an atmosphere of tension, enhanced by the arcade’s dimly lit corridors and the relentless clatter of gaming machines, amplifying the suspense pervading the setting.
While THE MOUSE TRAP succeeds in creating an immersive horror environment, it sometimes misses the mark with character development, particularly for Alex’s friends, whose thin backstories lessen the emotional impact of their struggles. The pacing occasionally draws out scenes that would have benefited from a brisker narrative flow.
McIntosh transitions from a typical arcade worker to a survivor, her performance grounding the film’s fantastical elements in a gritty reality, along with Mackenzie Mills’ portrayal of Rebecca, the two counter some of the film’s “cheesier” moments.
THE MOUSE TRAP takes public domain horror and grounds it in a by-the-numbers slasher, as opposed to some similar attempts that try to push too far. No one here will win an Oscar, but check this out before assuming the worst.
This film is an essential watch for genre fans and those looking for a unique, if not slightly flawed, slasher with some fun elements. Set your expectations realistically, and you won’t be disappointed.
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[photo courtesy of INTO FRAME PRODUCTIONS, GRAVITAS VENTURES]
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There’s no way you liked this movie. If so I would like to see your reviews on movies like In A Violent Nature or The Omicron Killer
I think it all depends on where you set the bar. This wasn’t an Oscar winner, but for what it was, I didn’t have a lot of issues with it.