‘The Voices’ is a Horror Comedy With Heart [The Overlook Motel]
Welcome to The Overlook Motel, a place where under-seen and unappreciated films are given their moment in the spotlight. I hope you enjoy your stay here and find the accommodations to be suitable. Now, please take a seat and make yourself comfortable, I have some misbehaving guests to ‘correct’.
On this installment of The Overlook Motel, I am taking a look back at Marjane Satrapi’s pitch-black horror-comedy, The Voices. This flick serves up a likable antihero, talking pets, and ample bloodshed. Are you hooked yet?
Happy-go-lucky Jerry (Ryan Reynolds) is enjoying his new gig at a bathtub factory. But when he makes the fateful decision to stop taking his medication, Jerry’s homicidal impulses take over. Matters are further complicated when his animal companions, Bosco and Mr. Whiskers, begin speaking to him, leading to a series of zany and violent encounters.
The Voices works as well as it does for a number of reasons. The first of which is a stellar screenplay from Michael R. Perry (Paranormal Activity 2). Perry has a vivid imagination and a dark sense of humor that really shines through in the finished product.
Related Article: Exclusive: 5 Fun Questions with ‘The Voices’ Director Marjane Satrapi
Equally important to the film’s success is a standout performance from the ever-versatile Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds makes Jerry sympathetic, which is no small feat. He’s not a good guy. Yet, every time I revisit The Voices, I can’t help but cheer for him as a lovable antihero. And that stems from the fact that Jerry doesn’t want to be a bad guy. He wants to do the right thing and he wants to live an average life. But his struggles with schizophrenia make that easier said than done. There’s something relatable about his struggle. Not the murdering part. But the idea of good intentions and best-laid plans don’t always pan out the way we’d like.
Further endearing Jerry to the audience is the depiction of his troubled, traumatic childhood. While childhood trauma isn’t an excuse for homicide, it gives the viewer an idea as to why Jerry is the way he is and why he does the things he does.
Although Jerry’s animal companions, Mr. Whiskers and Bosco, can’t actually talk and primarily serve to represent a physical manifestation of Jerry’s inner voices, they are undeniably lovable. In fact, their commentary makes the movie. Both were voiced by Reynolds and that speaks to just how versatile and talented he is. Each pet has a distinctive personality that reflects how I’d expect my pets to act if they suddenly began to speak.
Mr. Whiskers is critical and aloof, saying all the things any cat parent suspects their sassy feline friend might be thinking. And Bosco is encouraging, selfless, optimistic, and has a clearly defined sense of right and wrong. In addition to serving as great supporting characters, the pets also tell us a lot about who Jerry is and how much he actually wants to do the right thing.
Also Read: ‘Dude Bro Party Massacre III’ is Stupid Fun [The Overlook Motel]
Director Satrapi juxtaposes the film’s darker moments with light, happy, silly exchanges that offset the more sobering sequences, striking a balance that keeps things from ever becoming too dark or too sappy.
Seeing as the subject matter is fairly dark at times and the audience for this type of film is rather niche, I can understand why it didn’t receive a stateside theatrical release. But it’s a shame that The Voices didn’t bow before a larger audience because it is horror-infused comedy at its finest. If you have managed to overlook this pitch-black gem until now, it is available to stream through Cinemax as of the publication of this post.
If you make a point to check The Voices out, let us know your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Categorized:Editorials News The Overlook Motel Videos
