Come to Daddy

FILM: 6.5/10.

So, I decided to delve into Elijah Wood's post-Lord of the Rings escapades, and let me tell you, the man has a knack for picking the peculiar. Come to Daddy is no exception-it's a quirky, offbeat black comedy that kicks off with an unsettlingly weird vibe, paving the way for a positively bizarre rollercoaster.

Wood, playing the nerdy Norval, gives a suitably restrained performance, clearly yearning for the attention of an absent father. Meanwhile, Stephen McHattie rocks the role of the titular daddy Norval never knew, injecting a perfect dose of oddity. But here's the twist: not everything in this oddball reunion is what it seems.

Directed by Kiwi Ant Timpson, known for his horror ventures, Come to Daddy leans heavily into the genre. The first half is a well-paced, well-written exploration of Norval's peculiar family reunion. However, at the 50-minute mark, things take a wild turn, unleashing a barrage of oddities. Yet, despite the eccentricities, it feels like the film plays it safe, never quite pushing the boundaries far enough.

It's a tale of two halves, and honestly, I found myself thinking sticking to the vibe of the original half might've been the safer bet. Alternatively, Timpson could've cranked up the volume on the outlandish elements in the final 40 minutes. The result? A pleasingly solid film that, unfortunately, grapples with a mild identity crisis.

Come to Daddy is a decent watch if you're up for some Elijah Wood-induced weirdness, just be prepared for a ride that veers off the rails into the delightfully bizarre.

FORMAT: Blu-ray

VIDEO: 8/10.

1080p presentation, Detail level: Excellent, Colour reproduction: Good, Level accuracy: Good, Encode: Good, Master condition: Excellent

AUDIO: 8.5/10.

DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio, Dialogue reproduction: Excellent, Soundtrack & effects clarity: Excellent, Dynamics: Good, Surround sound presentation: Good, LFE content: Good

MOOFIEMETER: 6/10.

Elijah Wood gives a very good performance as an abandoned son seeking closure in this charmingly whacky comic thriller. "Come to Daddy" initially shows an endearing strangeness that's reinforced by the camera angles and casually elegant framing. The plot substantially nuttier. Enjoyable performances from Wood and Donovan hold the film to its liberating goals, even as it descends into what can only be described as bloody chaos. Absurd, audacious, colourful and moving. Buckle up and enjoy the ride up to the end. You will enjoy this movie.

Judging from the reviews this is a love it or hate it film. Overall well acted, good directing and cinematography. The first half hour for me was not so interesting. Then a twist where you think you know what it's about. And then it gets weirder and weirder. It's not all gold, but more than enough to recommend a watch, just don't expect a standard Hollywood or horror movie.

First half is better than the second half. Around the 51 minute mark, the movie changes completely. The first half is 10/10. Second half is more of a 5/10. I wish it would've remained a father & son conflict as it was in the beginning. The enemies and their tactics are not very believable. There's a number of very unrealistic choices made by all the characters. But I was still entertained throughout, so I recommend it.

This movie was a very fun watch. Elijah Wood does a wonderful job selling his character as a priviledged adult. It does an excellent job grasping your attention in the first act, even though it tends to slow down a lot in the second. The third act successfully ramps it back up and this is where the movie shines as the over the top gorefest it is. There are a few suspenseful scenes that will keep you invested and glued to the screen, and there are quite a few interactions between characters thay will give you some laughs to ease the tension the rest of the movie lays on you. Fun movie to watch, and definitely a good movie to recommend.