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Mr. Crocket
Mr. Crocket is a 2024 American supernatural horror film directed by Brandon Espy in his feature directorial debut from a screenplay he co-wrote with Carl Reid. Based on Espy's 2022 short film of the same name, the film stars Elvis Nolasco as the title character, with Jerrika Hinton, Ayden Gavin, Kristolyn Lloyd, and Alex Akpobome in supporting roles. It follows a mother who embarks on a quest to rescue her son from a demonic children's television series host who is kidnapping children.[1] The film was first announced in July 2024 as a full-length version of Epsy's original short that he directed for Hulu's Bite Size Halloween series. Nolasco and Hinton were attached to star in the film, with Nolasco also acting as associate producer. Mr. Crocket premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 26, 2024, and was released by WorthenBrooks as a Hulu original film in the United States and on Disney+ internationally on October 11.[2] It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. PlotIn 1993, young Darren Harper becomes obsessed with Mr. Crocket's World, a children's television series hosted by the titular Mr. Crocket and his puppets Boogaloo Blue and Squawky Bird. The show's VHS tape was in a free library outside his home. During dinner, Darren's stepfather Kevin verbally abuses him until Mr. Crocket emerges from the television. He kills Kevin and disappears with Darren, leaving his mother Rhonda horrified by the gruesome scene. One year later, Summer Beverly struggles to manage her disobedient son Major in the wake of her husband Jerrel's death. Rhonda, now a homeless woman, warns Summer about Mr. Crocket. The free library with the Mr. Crocket's World tape appears outside Summer's home and she gives it to Major, who quickly becomes obsessed with the show. Meanwhile, Mr. Crocket kills drug abuser Bill and kidnaps his daughter Carey while she is watching the same tape. One day, as Summer tries convincing Major to go outside, Major throws a tantrum. Summer snaps at him about wanting to quit as his mother. That night, Mr. Crocket emerges from the television and takes Major with him through a portal created with his magic marker. Summer learns about Bill's death and connects Carey's kidnapping to Major's. She researches Mr. Crocket and learns that his full name is Emanuel Crocket, a local children's show host who was killed in a police shootout after he had allegedly kidnapped young Anthony Williams in 1979. Summer meets Eddie Briggs, a man who believes in her story after Mr. Crocket kidnapped his daughter a few months ago. They realize that Rhonda might know about Mr. Crocket's next abduction and track her to an encampment surrounded by televisions. Rhonda reveals that Mr. Crocket's powers are tied to airwaves and she has telekinetically tapped into them to locate where he will be. The trio confronts Mr. Crocket and he proceeds to attack them, stabbing Rhonda while Summer and Eddie enter through his portal to a nightmarish version of the Mr. Crocket's World set where Major, Darren, Carey, and several other children are under his control. While monstrous versions of Boogaloo Blue and Squawky Bird restrain Summer, Mr. Crocket recounts how he killed his abusive father and made it look like an accident. Motivated to help other neglected children, Mr. Crocket grew up as a children's entertainer and created his show. During a taping, he met Anthony and realized he suffered abuse. Mr. Crocket took him to his house, but police officers considered it a kidnapping, resulting in the confrontation that killed him. After dying, Mr. Crocket made a deal with the Devil to deliver the souls of abusive parents in exchange for coming back with supernatural powers to protect children. Eddie reveals that he is actually Anthony and had been manipulating Summer to get back with Mr. Crocket. However, Mr. Crocket rejects him because he is no longer a child and Boogaloo Blue mauls him to death. Mr. Crocket allows Major to decide between him or Summer, to which Major chooses Mr. Crocket and is given a knife to kill his mother. When Summer expresses her love for Major, the knife turns into the marker and Summer uses it to slice Mr. Crocket in half. She exits with Major and the other children to the real world as Mr. Crocket vows revenge. A still-alive Rhonda reunites with Darren while Summer's relationship with Major improves as both resume their normal lives. Sometime later, Summer learns that Major's aggressive behavior is growing and children at his school are afraid of stories about his new "father". As Summer realizes that Mr. Crocket's influence is still present, Major pulls out the marker to re-open the portal. Cast
ProductionCastingIn July 2024, it was announced that Elvis Nolasco and Jerrika Hinton would star in the film, with Nolasco also acting as associate producer.[3] Nolasco was chosen because of the actor's desire to play the role; the actor remained in character throughout filming and introduced himself to the cast and crew as Mr. Crockett.[4] Production and developmentEspy came up with the concept for Mr. Crockett after seeing his eldest son obsessively watch the television show Blippi, wondering what it would be like if the character came out of the television set. He also drew inspiration from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Espy turned the concept into the 2022 short film of the same name for Hulu's Bite Size Halloween, later developing it into a full feature length film.[5] Per cinematographer Powell Robinson, Espy wanted the film to have the tone of an "80s style horror movie, but it happens to be set in the 90s", recommending that he view Menace II Society and Juice, along with one of the A Nightmare on Elm Street films. The crew chose to use more practical effects as opposed to visual effects, as they felt that it would better allow the film to keep a '90s feel and that the horror audience would appreciate this.[4] Filming took place during summer 2024; Hinton and Nolasco completed their scenes in July 2024.[3] ReleaseThe film's first trailer was released on September 18, 2024, less than a month before its release,[6] alongside exclusive first look images from the film.[7] Mr. Crocket premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 26, 2024, and was released by WorthenBrooks as a Hulu original film in the United States and on Disney+ internationally on October 11.[2] The short film upon which Mr. Crocket was based was first released in 2022 as part of Hulu's Bite Size Halloween program.[5] It was later also screened at Screamfest on October 14, 2023.[8] ReceptionCritical responseOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 67% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.2/10.[9] The film received mixed to positive reviews upon its release. Karina Adelgaard of Heaven of Horror highlighted the film’s "gorgeous practical effects," noting they "worked exactly as intended." However, she found the film "very predictable,"[10] and Dempsey Pillot of The DisInsider described it as "conflicting." He praised Espy's direction and the well-developed characters but remarked that the film draws heavily on familiar tropes from other works.[11] Tyler Nichols of JoBlo.com noted, "Jerrika Hinton delivers a solid performance, but her character can be a bit frustrating. Her treatment of her child and actions that enable Crocket to take him make it difficult to find her sympathetic. However, I didn’t mind this aspect, as the film made it enjoyable to root for the villain." He also expressed disappointment that some of the creative elements weren't fully explored throughout the film's entire runtime.[12] Matthew Donato of Collider rated Mr. Crocket 6 out of 10, describing it as a "decent all-ages thriller" that leans into its adults-only rating. He wrote that while director Espy "succeeds better than expected in his debut expansion on an existing concept," he struggles with stretching a short-form idea to feature length. However, Donato concluded that the film's practical effects and fast pacing help balance its thinner storytelling.[13] Future filmsEspy has expressed interest in creating a sequel, stating that "Crocket, he's immortal."[4] References
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