Netflix has just released one of the wildest comedy-thrillers of the past few years over the weekend.
Loosely based on a startling true story, this 2023 slasher almost immediately achieved cult classic status thanks to its bizarre mix of gore and gags.
Directed by The Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks and starring Keri Russell and Goodfellas legend Ray Liotta in one of his final film appearances, it’s the ideal pick-me-up for these dreary January evenings.
The film in question is, of course, Cocaine Bear, a horrifying yet hysterical thriller about a drug-fuelled black bear on the rampage.
Despite its outrageous premise, the movie is actually based on a true story in which an American black bear overdosed on cocaine dropped by drug smugglers in 1985.
Director Banks expands the tale at every opportunity with side-splitting humour and some memorably gruesome kills, making Cocaine Bear a must-see for both comedy and horror fans.
One reviewer on Common Sense Media described it as “exactly what a movie called Cocaine Bear should be…
“This is a great romp and utterly OTT film,” they continued. “The violence is visceral, gory yet somewhat cartoony and the bear is actually quite terrifying, with blood soaked slobber dripping from its mouth and a fierce hard stare that Paddington would be jealous of.
“Along with Snakes On A Plane, you get exactly what you pay for with a film called Cocaine Bear.”
A Google reviewer gave the film a full five-stars and said: “I saw a trailer for this movie and seeing the poster and thinking it sounded like it’d be a laugh I gave it a go.. absolutely best decision I could have made! Far better than I expected it to be.
“There’s some seriously funny stuff in this movie as well as some suspenseful moments but what I love is the old school feel of it all.”
Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
Sky Stream lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like The Day of the Jackal and the second season of Squid Game.
The Independent wrote: “Cocaine Bear is a film worthy of its title, and perfectly constructed to feel like the kind of cult horror movie you’d find on a dusty VHS tape somewhere in a stoner’s basement.
“It’s bloody and grotesque, at times quite dark, but also surprisingly endearing. Any worry that actor and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks’s third feature wouldn’t live up to its gloriously stupid title is misplaced.”
While the Guardian confirmed this “larky horror comedy is roaring good fun”, adding it’s “as daft as it is entertaining”.
Will you be giving Cocaine Bear a go this week?
Cocaine Bear is available to stream on Netflix.
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