Sundance Review: KRAZY HOUSE is A Bonkers and Insane Rollercoaster of Bloody Absurdity
Krazy House is the English-language debut from Dutch directing duo Steffen Haars and Flip van der Kuil, and this thing takes audiences on a wild and unpredictable ride that destroys all expectations. This movie is absolutely bonkers and insane, delivering one of the weirdest stories you'll ever witness on screen.
The film's premise sets the stage for the craziness that follows: Russian workers in Bernie's seemingly ordinary home turn out to be wanted criminals, thrusting the meek and devout head of the household, Bernie Christian (Nick Frost), into a bloodcurdling crusade to save his '90s sitcom family. Alicia Silverstone matches his frenzy as his gleefully mischievous wife, adding to the chaotic mix of characters.
The concept for Krazy House is intriguing as it parodies the setup of a typical 90s TV sitcom, complete with an overly tedious father who is a true numbskull. Bernie Christian is incredibly annoying, and his family practically despises him. However, as the movie unfolds, it descends into a fever dream of madness.
The Russian family's presence in their home begins as just them doing some maintenance work. However, it soon becomes clear that they are searching for something, and their actions result in the complete destruction of the house. As chaos ensues, Bernie's wife reaches a breaking point, and their children form unexpected disastrous connections with the Russians.
Nick Frost's portrayal of Bernie Christian is actually kind of amusing. Bernie is initially introduced as an overly tedious and meek father figure, the kind of character you'd expect to find in a '90s sitcom. Frost captures Bernie's bumbling and clueless nature perfectly, embracing the comedic potential of the role. His physical comedy skills shine as he navigates the increasingly chaotic and absurd situations in the film.
As the story takes Bernie on a bloodcurdling crusade to save his family, Nick Frost's performance undergoes a remarkable transformation. He brings depth to Bernie's character as he evolves from a passive and submissive individual into a determined and somewhat unhinged hero.
Alicia Silverstone delivers a delightfully mischievous and madcap performance as Bernie's wife. Her character serves as a counterbalance to Bernie's absurdity, and Silverstone embraces the gleeful mischievousness of the role.
As the chaos escalates and Bernie's wife grows to loathe her husband, Silverstone's portrayal effectively captures the character's descent into a nervous breakdown. She navigates the emotional rollercoaster of the character, moving between moments of frustration, madness, and hilarity. Silverstone's chemistry with Nick Frost adds to the film's comedic dynamic.
Krazy House is a relentless escalation of absurdity. The film spirals into a violent and bloody disaster, with twists and turns that are as nonsensical as they are shocking. The movie was sloppily made and in the end, the whole thing was really just kind of tasteless.
The movie really makes no sense. It was just a very strange viewing experience that left me thinking, “What in the hell was that all about!?” Sure, I was briefly entertained at certain points, but the whole thing is just a surreal nightmare. If you're up for a wild ride of pure lunacy and don't mind a complete lack of coherence, maybe Krazy House is something you’ll enjoy.