A Non-Stop Assault of Absurdity and Chaos
MOVIE REVIEW
Rats!
- 
Genre: Comedy, Action, Crime
Year Released: 2024, 2025
Runtime: 1h 25m
Director(s): Carl Fry, Maxwell Nalevansky
Writer(s): Carl Fry, Maxwell Nalevansky
Cast: Danielle Evon Ploeger, Luke Wilcox, Darius Autry, Khali Sykes, Ariel Ash, Jacob Wysocki, John Ennis
Where To Watch: on digital March 11, 2025
RAVING REVIEW: There’s something to be said for a movie that commits so fully to its madness, but commitment alone doesn’t always guarantee a great experience. RATS! operates in its chaotic universe, a whirlwind of absurdity where the jokes never stop, and the logic never starts. With its aggressive approach to humor and relentless pacing, it feels designed to overwhelm, making it the kind of film that will either delight those who crave non-stop insanity or leave others exhausted before the halfway mark.
The film follows Raphael, a graffiti artist who finds himself in a spiraling series of events after encountering a law enforcement officer who seems more interested in causing chaos than in preventing it. His cousin, Mateo, becomes a target in a bizarre criminal investigation, and what follows is an escalating mess of underground rap battles, unexplained severed hands, and a near-constant barrage of crude humor. The plot is less concerned with coherence than creating a series of increasingly absurd set pieces, each trying to outdo the last in sheer ridiculousness.
This is an all-you-can-eat buffet of nonsense for anyone who appreciates shock humor. The film is packed with crude jokes, random running jokes, and the kind of humor that exists purely to see how far it can push an audience. It’s not interested in subtlety or restraint, instead of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks.
There’s a clear effort to craft a unique world, and while the story itself may be a mess, the stylized environment gives it a distinctive personality. From the fashion choices to the underground music scene, there’s a sense that the filmmakers had a clear vision for the setting—even if that vision is drenched in pure absurdity.
That same commitment to excess, however, is also what holds the film back. The relentless pacing, while energetic, leaves little time for any moment to breathe. Jokes pile on top of each other so frequently that even the ones that work don’t get a chance to settle before the next gag crashes in. Some elements, like the recurring mispronunciation of “hands,” stay funny through sheer commitment, but others seem designed purely for shock value with no real payoff. As a result, the film often feels like it’s more concerned with outdoing itself than actually delivering a well-timed punchline.
The performances match the over-the-top nature of the film, with every actor fully embracing the exaggerated tone. Danielle Evon Ploeger's portrayal of an unhinged police officer is as loud and relentless as the film itself. She commands every scene she’s in, turning what could have been a one-note character into a force of sheer chaos. Luke Wilcox serves as the audience’s guide through the madness, playing the bewildered lead with just enough restraint to contrast the surrounding insanity. Meanwhile, Darius Autry’s Mateo provides an unexpected charm amid the chaos.
Beneath the layers of outrageous humor, there are attempts at satire, though they often get buried under the relentless pacing. The film jabs at law enforcement incompetence, small-town corruption, and post-9/11 paranoia, but it is too busy sprinting from one gag to the next to develop any of these themes. It wants to make a point but is more preoccupied with how many jokes it can cram into the runtime than exploring any meaningful critique.
This is the kind of movie that thrives in the right environment. Watching it in a packed theater with an audience ready to embrace the chaos is likely the best way to experience it, as its humor feeds off collective energy. But outside of that setting, the non-stop barrage of absurdity might be harder to stomach. If you enjoy comedies that throw logic and restraint out the window, there’s plenty to enjoy here. But this won't be an easy watch if you’re looking for anything with a coherent narrative, well-structured jokes, or a break from the chaos.
In the end, this is a film that fully embraces its identity, for better or worse. It knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t care if that alienates half its audience. Some will love its unpredictable, wild energy, while others will find it exhausting. Whether that’s a strength or a weakness depends entirely on what kind of comedy you seek. It’s a movie that makes no compromises, which is commendable, but that doesn’t mean it’ll work for everyone.
Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.
You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Reviews.
I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.
[photo courtesy of YELLOW VEIL PICTURES]
DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices, regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.
Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.
