The Horror Mystery Flop Getting A Second Chance On Hulu
There's something oddly comforting about watching a slasher movie. You know you're in for gore, violence, and mayhem as you attempt to see how an eclectic cast of characters manages to stop what seems like an unkillable force. The '80s brought us the likes of Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger, and while you may think the 21st century has failed to produced the same level of psychopathy, the last couple of decades have added greatly to the subgenre. Jigsaw from the "Saw" series and the Babyface Killer from the "Happy Death Day" franchise have instilled fear into the hearts of millions, and Patrick Weaver from "Trick" deserves to be part of that list.
You're not alone if you haven't heard of this 2019 film. It grossed just under $50,000 worldwide at the box office (via Box Office Mojo), and it currently has a 33% rating on the Tomatometer from critics. However, it does add an interesting wrinkle to the slasher genre, and even though the twist at the end was divisive among critics, it begs discussion. Now that the film's streaming on Hulu, it can receive a second life, and it's very much worth your time, especially for veterans of horror eager for something unique.
Trick makes some bold choices
"Trick" follows a serial killer who begins his killing spree at a high school Halloween party in 2015. While he's initially taken to the hospital, it's not long before he escapes. From there, the movie fast-forwards every year around Halloween, up to and including 2019. Each year, he commits horrific murders until it all comes to a head when Detective Mike Denver (Omar Epps) closes in on his villainous ways.
"Trick" may not have been a major hit upon release, but it had its share of fans, including critic Anton Bitel from Sight & Sound, who writes, "It is enough to leave us, much like the characters in the film who attend the all-night horrorthon, worrying about just who might be sitting around us in the theatre — because, as Jayne puts it, 'any one of your costumed moviegoers could be your killer.'"
New viewers on social media are also singing its praise. @Taylorsemaje1 writes, "trick on hulu has me shook." More than anything, it appears as though a lot of people are happy to see Jamie Kennedy in the unexpected role of the doctor. His career has been a bit quiet since "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment," and people like @Fullmoonchick don't even recognize it's him in the slasher flick, writing, "Watching #trick. I swear that doctor looks like Jamie Kennedy." Plot twist — it is him, returning to his horror roots after the "Scream" franchise.
Ultimately, "Trick" is a movie for extreme horror lovers. It's ultra-violent, so you should be aware of the ample bloodshed before going into it, but if you have a strong stomach, it may just shock you to your core.