The new nostalgic horror comedy “Y2K,” from director, co-writer and “Saturday Night Live” alum Kyle Mooney, will be hitting a theater near you on Dec. 6.
But thanks to UC Berkeley’s SUPERB Productions, some film/comedy fans were able to catch an advance screening and get the rundown on this raunchy-meets-retro showdown.
Here’s everything you to know about the film.
The film follows two high school outcasts, Eli (Jaeden Martell) and Danny (Julian Dennison) who decide that the last night of 1999 is their moment to break free from the nerdy fringes and crash a cool kid’s New Year’s Eve party. Danny’s drunken performance of “Thong Song” is a riot, while Eli nervously tries to win the heart of a hacker (Rachel Zegler). But as the clock strikes midnight and the world braces for the Y2K bug, things go way off the rails.
As it turns out, the only thing more dangerous than unrequited teen angst is a world where robots have gone rogue. Microwaves, video cameras, and even ceiling fans start going full “Terminator,” and it’s up to the teens to survive the mess they’ve gotten themselves into, all while still hoping for that kiss.
It’s an outrageously fun bit of alternate history, and an ode to the chaos of being a teen on the brink of the new millennium (when the only thing scarier than Y2K might have been trying to talk to your crush).
In terms of influences, the film reads as a “Superbad”-style setup disrupted by “This is the End” apocalyptic disaster (think fantastical plane crashes and burning cityscapes). Of course, the Y2K time twist is the cherry on top. Period piece Easter eggs include AOL, the now-extinct in-person video store, “Varsity Blues” and repeated references to Kelso from “That 70’s Show” (which is actually more of a second-tier meta-reference).
Honestly, though, this is not a movie anyone should be thinking that hard about. It’s a mind-numbing thrill ride designed for laughs and longing for simpler times. Oh, and killer machines! Don’t forget about those! The fan favorite at this screening was a murderous Tamagotchi armed with a skull-shattering electric drill. Call it a retro, rated-R rendition of “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.”
So … Millennials vs. the Machines?
One undeniable plus about the film is its capacity to surprise. The premise is already fairly inventive, but even aside from that, the film challenges audiences’ preconceived notions of traditional storytelling. Specifically, the first wave of killings will throw viewers’ expectations out the window. If you’re a particularly well-read cinephile, you might think you know which characters are important, or which will make it to the end. Spoiler alert: you definitely don’t.
Without giving too much away, let’s just say that you’re advised not to get too cocky before the curtains rise. Also, maybe don’t purchase popcorn. Likely destinations include your lap, the floor, or the person sitting next to you.
While many aspects of the film are fairly inventive, it’s not perfect. There’s definitely one or two overused storylines that could’ve (or should’ve) been scrapped. Specifically, the shy guy who falls for a pretty girl that, gasp, actually has a brain? Who knew girls had those???
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The blood and guts element of the film also has some low blows. Imagine every man’s worst below-the-belt fear/intrusive thought when it comes to blenders. Yeah … maybe not a must-see for fans of high horror.
Tired tropes and gory gags aside, “Y2K” still holds up as a masterclass in campy comedy from a true dynamic duo of oddball comedians. Mooney was supposed to appear in person (alongside co-writer Evan Winger) at the UC Berkley screening to field questions from UCB students, but their flight out of Chicago was grounded due to bad weather.
Mooney felt awful about it, so he sent over a quick video to the students in which he discussed his fondness for Berkeley, noting that both of his brothers attended Cal. He also shared a left-field anecdote that was, counterintuitively, very fitting for both the pro-stoner movie as well as the (presumably) Bohemian students:
“I love Berkeley. In eighth grade, I hung out with my brother in Berkeley and he got me high for the first time. We went to Rasputin’s (the record store) and joined a drum circle on Telegraph. I was both scared and sad but it was the best time of my life.”
While Mooney wasn’t able to attend, it didn’t affect the audience reception. Tee-hees and har-hars were audible until the credits rolled. The slapstick comedy might not be for everyone, but the nostalgia is a pretty universal appeal. If students who weren’t even alive during Y2K, who never braved dial-up or so much as stepped foot in a Blockbuster, are able to find it funny, then chances are you’ll get a kick out of it too.
‘Y2K’
Rated: R (violence, sex, nudity, language)
Starring: Jaeden Martell, Julian Dennison, Rachel Zegler, Fred Durst, Alicia Silverstone
Director: Kyle Mooney
When & where: Opens Dec. 6 in theaters nationwide
