VOD of the Dead - KIDS VS. ALIENS (2023)
What was your “gateway” to horror? For some, it was a terrifying experience with a film they were far too young to see, such as HALLOWEEN. For others, it was a less frightening flick that was more age-appropriate like THE MONSTER SQUAD. Either way, if you found your affection at a younger age in life you no doubt have a few favorite films that feature kids in the leading roles. For me, it was seeing HALLOWEEN at far too young an age that scared me into enjoying horror. And yet, one of my favorite films of those younger years and today is 1987’s THE GATE. The 80s were the time rise of the PG-13 film, and while there have been attempts to resurrect the rating in the horror genre nothing compares to the kinds of films made in the 80s and 90s when the PG-13 rating was finding its footing. Striking a balance between horror and age-appropriateness while maintaining interest and relevance is a difficult balancing act. One that JASON EISENER is tackling head-on in KIDS VS. ALIENS from RLJE and SHUDDER films. Premiering on January 20, 2023, in theaters, on-demand, and digital, is this a film worthy of entertaining kids and adults alike? Or is it just another in a long line of films that fail to invade the hearts and minds of multiple generations?
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
All Gary wants is to make awesome home movies with his best buds. All his older sister Samantha wants is to hang with the cool kids. When their parents head out of town on Halloween weekend, an all-time rager of a teen house party turns to terror when aliens attack, forcing the siblings to band together to survive the night.
HOW IS IT?
I hate to admit it, but I don’t connect with the same movies I used to when I was younger. Some of those movies I don’t regard as fondly are ones from my childhood, ones that I used to adore. Many of them had child-aged protagonists who I could connect with, whereas now I am far removed from that by both my age and experience. Nevertheless, movies have an amazing ability to bring us back to these times, and KIDS VS. ALIENS did just that for me. For some younger horror fans, this may be their favorite movie and gateway to the more intense forms of sci-fi and horror. For older horror fans like me, KIDS VS. ALIENS feels like a love letter to the kinds of movies that captured that dangerous youthful spirit of films we grew up watching. It may not connect with everyone the same, but it’s hard to deny how fun and earnest everything about KIDS VS. ALIENS is.
KIDS VS. ALIENS is an expansion on Eisener’s previous short for the V/H/S/2 anthology film, but that is not required prerequisite viewing here. The best way to describe it would be something akin to THE MONSTER SQUAD meets SIGNS, and aesthetically KIDS VS. ALIENS is intentionally harking back to those kid adventure films of the 80s with its color palette and soundtrack. Even the main characters, a group of young aspiring filmmakers and wrestling addicts, feel like the kind of troupe you would find in THE GOONIES. These kids are much more current and vulgar than their PG-rated peers. Unlike similarly toned films such as PSYCHO GOREMAN, the kids here feel real and authentic which makes it a lot easier to care for them along the way. The brother and sister duo of Gary (DOMINIC MARICHE) and Samantha (PHOEBE REX), along with the antagonistic Billy (CALEM MACDONALD) are the real standouts among this young cast. Gary and Samantha deliver a truly moving sibling arc that is ruthlessly underscored by Billy’s constant selfish torment of the two and everyone else in his path. This helps when things really start to ramp up in the back half of the film and the violence goes full throttle, as you are emotionally invested in what happens rather than simply there to see what clever ways these kids get disposed of.
The overwhelming nostalgia apparent in KIDS VS. ALIENS is something that some viewers may not take as kindly to. It’s understandable given how many STRANGER THINGS style shows and movies have appeared since the start of the NETFLIX show. While some films are guilty of riding the trend wave, KIDS VS. ALIENS never feels like it owes anything to specific callbacks or references. The nostalgia here is in the tone and feeling, not as much in the jokes and visual cues, which makes the overall impact feel far more personal than profit-driven. The other potential turn-off here could be that the main characters are kids. I’ll be the first to admit that I have a negative bias towards these films, and I’m happy to say that all the concerns are washed away thanks to JASON EISENER’s and JOHN DAVIES’ excellent scripting. If you think they aren’t afraid to f*ck some young ones up because they are kids you could not be more wrong. Even though the characters are kids, the movie is made for adults to enjoy. It begs the question of if kids could watch it, and to that, I’d say it depends. Aside from the language, there are some pretty graphic setpieces in the second half so maybe not the little ones, but teenagers shouldn’t have an issue. Then again, I don’t have kids so what the hell do I know?
LAST RITES
KIDS VS. ALIENS reminded me of the kinds of kid-focused adventure films I used to love as a child, with the gore and sensibilities of more mature horror genres. Combined it’s a delightfully fun experience that should appeal to teens and elder millennials like me who wish they had a wrestling ring in their backyard.
THE GORY DETAILS
Directed By
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Where can you watch it?
RLJE Films and Shudder will release the horror/sci-fi film, KIDS VS ALIENS CITY in Theaters, On Demand, and Digital on January 20, 2023. (The Shudder streaming date will be announced later)
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