"Mr. Crocket" delivers creepy carnage in Hulu original

October 11, 2024

Courtesy: Hulu

A friend like you is a friend like me! Mr. Crocket is the Hulu original horror film from a remake of the short film of the same name, Hulu's Bite Size Halloween anthology series. Mr. Crocket debuted on October 11 with terrifying chills for the Halloween season.

The official synopsis reveals that in 1993, a mysterious children's show host, Mr. Crocket, magically emerges from television sets to kidnap young children, brutally slaying their parents in the process. After Mr. Crocket snatches her son, one determined mother embarks on a perilous quest to track down the demonic entertainer and rescue her boy.

Directed by Brandon Espy with a screenplay by Espy and Carl Reid, the film was developed by Worthen Brooks with David Brooks, Arbi Pedrossian, Jenna Cavelle, Carl Reid, Sean King O'Grady, Josh Feldman, and Jesse Ford. Miles Alva serves as executive producer.

The series stars:

Jerikka Hinton as Summer

Elvis Nolasco as Mr. Crocket

Kristolyn Loyd as Rhonda

Alex Akpobome as Eddie

Ayden Gavin as Major

Courtesy: Hulu

Mr. Crocket feels like Candyman meets Mr. Rogers in a homage to both shows, and it's absolutely riveting. From start to finish, the film sets up the spooky atmosphere perfectly, so when recently widowed Summer mysteriously receives a VHS cassette of "Mr. Crocket's World," the kid-friendly TV show with host Mr. Crocket, she gives it to her son, Major. It's just what the kid needs as he keeps lashing out at Summer with the recent death of his father. Immediately, the kid feels a connection to the magnetic, sweeter-than-candy, perpetually smiling TV host dancing with catchy, feel-good songs. What's not to love? Soon, that connection becomes obsession as Espy captures Crocket's hypnotic, sinister spell. An ominous, evil entity is underneath the friendly "Mr. Rogers" exterior. Nolasco is brilliant in the role, with a perfect performance reminiscent of the Pennywise villain in the IT franchise.

The premise that a demonic TV host uses his show to literally kidnap innocent kids into his world through their TVs and murder their parents is entertainingly horrific. Nolasco understands the assignment as he transitions effortlessly from his fun loving persona surrounded by childhood, loveable, overgrown puppets morphing into their evil alter egos in Crocket's real world. If there's a method to Crocket's madness, the parents he kills are parents who treat their kids horribly, so he is actually punishing them. That motivation, decent for an evil entity to have, actually sets the film apart from other horror movies. One can argue that Summer is not a good parent, but that's highly subjective since she's grieving the loss of her husband and doing the best she can under those circumstances. We don't think the film wants viewers to root for Crocket, but there is something to be said that the villain has noble intentions motivated by twisted psychological vengeance.

Summer enlists the help of other parents who were victims of Crocket's reign of terror and sets out to save her son. Where the film excels, aside from Nolasco's performance, is the imagery and visual effects. From the rich, vibrant colors of the 90s to the dark, terrifying underworld of Crocket's lair, the experience is very immersive, so when the final scene is revealed, it effectively sets up the opportunity for a sequel. Mr. Crocket is a worthy villain who deserves his own franchise.

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Mr. Crocket is currently streaming on Hulu.

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