Double Date (2017) Reviews

• A genuinely funny British comedy-horror

  Red-Barracuda2017-07-01

  Going into this one I have to admit being a little wary. I thought there would be a reasonable chance it could turn out to be a bit of a misfire. After all, British comedy-horror isn't the most reliable of sub-genres. I have to say though, right from the outset I was more than pleasantly surprised. The opening credits began with some cool stylised red on black drawings that suggested a bit of care and effort – this early indicator proved to be accurate as what transpired was a genuinely funny movie with some great characters and a little bit of sex appeal thrown in for good measure. The story focuses on a couple of friends Jim and Alex, the latter of which tries to help his friend lose his virginity before he turns thirty. Enter a couple of beautiful murderous femme-fatales called Kitty and Lulu, who don't take long to raise the temperature considerably. This one benefits from an actual funny script written by Danny Morgan who also plays the hapless Jim. He puts in a thoroughly amusing performance here it has to be said, in particular his chat-up scene early in proceedings being a particular bit of comedy acting gold. He is well supported by Michael Socha as his more confident, yet still essentially idiotic, friend Alex. Both these characters play the comedy really well here and have great chemistry. They are complimented well by their leading ladies. Georgia Groome is Lulu, the less demented of the pair, who works as a good comic foil for Jim, while the almost unfeasibly gorgeous Kelly Wenham plays the deadly seductress Kitty in a very commandingly sexy performance which adds a nice bit of sensuality to compliment the general hilarity that makes up most of what is going on elsewhere. While it is a comedy-horror, the horror side is much more marginalised with it really only going into hyper-drive during the crazed ending scene which gives a knowing nod to the classic 70's shocker The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). This finale mixes the humour and horror really well but most of the rest of the time its pure comedy all the way, such as the uproarious family birthday party, the visit to Alex's dad's pad and the aforementioned bar-room chat-up scene. Basically, this is a film that shows that you can take well-worn genre material and make it work if you take care to write funny material and have good comic actors to deliver the lines effectively. Oh, and having Kelly Wenham in your film doesn't harm it either.

• 1? No 10? R u kidding?

  wolfie-230882019-02-26

  This is your basic b horror movie. Plot not interesting whatsoever. If they added comedy to this movie it would have been much more entertaining. Off the cuff it starts hinting comedy/horror but fades quickly to low budget action horror(but no scares horror) Watchable but certainly not to watch again.

• A bloody good film.

  dannymaguire2018-04-05

  What a gem this is. I'd admittedly never heard of it before I watched it. It's an absolute riot. So, so funny with a tadicum of gore thrown in now and then. The cast is brilliant. The action is on point. And it runs along at a good old pace. I finished it and wouldn't have minded it being fleshed out a little more so I could have enjoyed it longer.

• Outstanding British Comedy Horror 5 stars

  linosquare2018-06-25

  Thoroughly enjoyed this fresh fast paced true return to British comedy horror. The soundtrack alone by psych band Goat is enough alone to make this a masterpiece but the stand out here is Kelly Wenham who plays psychotic Kitty with brilliant conviction. I'm not sure which movie the first reviewer watched but this is my kind of movie and can't wait for Tales from the Lodge currently in post production.

• Promising premise, disappointing delivery.

  Davide742018-04-19

  Promising premise, disappointing delivery. It starts well and hooks you in. Sadly, all the motivation to watch the film is lost after 20 mins. However, the viewer sticks to it while hoping it might get better. There was so much potential to be visually bonkers, it just falls flat. Michael Socha plays the most annoying and despicable lad. While not a bad film, Double Date is sadly forgettable. Special mention: the excellent soundtrack, Kelly Wenham kicks ass literally and Georgia Groome is full of charm.