Review: The Weird Kidz keeps it chill, even in the face of a monster and a cult

I don't know if I've ever been so excited to review a movie as I am The Weird Kidz, the delightfully low-key by writer-director-animator Zach Passero. I saw this movie a few years ago, I think ahead of it playing in some form at Annecy, and it's one of the movies that I would say is responsible for me having this blog today. I found the film such a pleasant surprise, a nifty little indie with charmingly rough edges and big heart beneath its sometimes shocking bloodshed and occasional nudity. It's nostalgic without being navel-gazey, just a really fucking good time.

The film follows a trio of friends as they head out on a camping trip. Dug is plagued by body issues and frequent bullying by his older brother Wyatt; both boys are sort of pushed aside by their parents, who only have eyes for their younger (and very adorable sister). Mel is a creative force to be reckoned with, writing comic books and playing with his (huge-dicked) dog, Grumbles. Fatt feels like he's a maybe a little wise beyond his friends' years, a bit calmer, maybe a bit wiser? Or at least that's the air he gives off. Wyatt and his girlfriend Mary take the three sixth-graders on a camping trip in the desert, where they have plans for fireworks, beer, and (hopefully) getting a peak at more of Mary.

On the way there, as characters in movies are wont to do, they make a pit stop at a service station, where Dug is told a creepy story by Duana, the well-worn worker running the show. She tells him about the Night Child, a vicious monster that emerges in the desert every 25 years. In fact, 25 years ago, it took Duana's brother. The campers need to be on the lookout lest they become its next victims.

Of course, the monster is real. It's a giant ant-like creature with toxic (but useful) venom, and it's on the prowl for food to feed its three young offspring. Another hiccup: there's a whole cult of townsfolk who don ant costumes and worship the creature, providing it a human sacrifice every time it comes out to try to keep their own asses safe. Think Midsommar but more creepy-crawly. There's some extreme violence to be had: eyes popping out, limbs being ripped apart, explosions and gunfire. It's a wild ride.

But it's also very much not a wild ride. What I love most about The Weird Kidz is how mellow it is. Even when the characters are facing off against these dangerous foes, the movie has a low-key gait to it, a chill energy that never wavers too much. It's not that the characters are disaffected or too-cool-to-care. They realize the danger they're in, and they're trying their best to save each other (when shit hits the fan, the group gets divided in two). At every turn, the movie feels true to itself, sticking to its guns, its vision, not getting too caught up in its big swings or bloody splatters. Even when things are at their hairiest, this is is a lot of fun to watch.

This is also thanks to the strongly-written and -performed characters. These feel like real kids and teens, and Mary's character is especially easy to fall for. While Wyatt is the kind of dick older brother you might expect, she's super sweet to Dug and his friends, treating them like people, giving them their first experiences of properly talking to and bonding with a girl. A lot of my favorite moments are her interactions with the younger characters. 

When you take a look at The Weird Kidz, you might be a bit put-off by the animation style. This isn't going to win any beauty contests, and some of the animation is pretty rough, but the style also really suits and story. It's goofy and a bit shaggy. Who cares if the characters are all a bit ugly? Sometimes, people can be ugly.

I'm so glad The Weird Kidz is finally coming to theaters via a roadshow that starts in LA on August 6 before heading on to other cities including San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. It's a gem of a movie. You can check out the film's site for the full schedule and ticketing information.