Destroy All Neighbors (2024)

Destroy All Neighbors (2024)

A musician literally faces his creative demons as he tries to finish his long-gestating prog-rock album

7.0

Movie

United States of America
English
Comedy, Horror, Music
2024
JOSH FORBES
Alex Winter, Chase Kim, Christian Calloway
86 min

TLDR

This is further proof that you should never, under any circumstances, get on a nonconfrontational introvert’s last nerve.

What it's about

William Brown (Jonah Ray) has been working on the same prog-rock album for years now, but he can’t seem to finish his work because of a multitude of reasons, not least of which are his demanding workload and annoying neighbors.

The take

It’s easy to classify Destroy All Neighbors as B-movie schlock; it unabashedly pays tribute to the low-budget comedy horror movies that pervaded the ‘80s. But it also feels too good for that. Elevated by funny bits, easy chemistry, solid production design, and a lightweight but easygoing script, Destroy All Neighbors never really wastes your time. It may confuse and drag at times, but there’s always an element that delights. As the straight man anchoring all the absurdity and gore surrounding him, Ray is also surprisingly likable. He connects easily to the colorful ensemble of characters in the film. 

Destroy All Neighbors is stylish, trippy, nonsensical, and quite commendable in its creativity (the practical effects and prosthetics are the highlight). In all, it’s harmless good fun, just beware of the overflowing blood and guts! 

What stands out

The analog feel of the whole film. From the neon lights and prosthetics to the lo-fi production and prog-rock sound that ties everything together, this is one of the more impressive entries in that genre of movies that feels like it’s genuinely from a different era. 

Comments

Add a comment

Your name

Your comment

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

Housekeeping for Beginners (2024)

At once understated and powerful, this Macedonian drama shines a necessary light on the complexity of found families

7.8

Beyond the Mat (1999)

The quintessential ‘90s pro wrestling documentary that shows that the top of the mountain carries more insanity than glory

8.0

Secret Sunshine (2007)

A grieving woman deals with the worst of fates in this challenging, disquieting riverside drama

7.6

Dogleg (2023)

An offbeat, unusual debut feature that’s as uncontrollable as its medium

7.0

Infamous (2006)

A slightly embellished, often compared, retelling that depicts the classic novelist’s larger-than-life spirit

7.0

Leave the World Behind (2023)

Shyamalan meets Black Mirror in this hugely entertaining, visually inventive apocalyptic thriller with a killer ending

8.2

La Belle Noiseuse (1991)

A sensual, spellbinding masterpiece depicting the creative process and its muse

8.1

La Chimera (2023)

A dreamy, bewitching film that ponders on ideas of lostness and longing

8.0

The Farewell (2019)

Awkwafina shines in this complex culture clash comedy.

9.1

Wild Tales (2014)

Co-produced by Pedro Almodóvar, this tumultuous Argentine anthology film tests the limits of human sanity when pushed to the extremes – and will also test yours.

9.9

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2024 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.