Home Entertainment: ‘Random Acts of Violence’ Digital Review

Based upon the comic of the same name, Random Acts of Violence, which was written by Jimmy Palmoitti and Justin Gray, marks the sophomore effort of actor-turned-director Jay Baruchel. In it, comic book creator Todd (Jesse Williams), his wife Kathy (Jordana Brewster), assistant Aurora (Niamh Wilson) and best friend and publisher, Ezra (Jay Baruchel), set out on a press tour from Toronto to NYC Comic-Con. The tour is to promote the launch of the final issue of Todd’s bestselling comic ‘Slasherman’, and includes a visit to the town where the real-life Slasherman went on a killing spree twenty years prior. Upon their arrival they find themselves mixed up in a spate of murders that bear a striking resemblance to the content of Todd’s comic books.

Baruchel is a self-professed fan of the source material, having spent over half a decade bringing it to life. His adoration shines through and he manages to respect the visual style that was so highly commended by critics. Chunks of the film are actually played out in animation and these sequences offer a sudden colour explosion that juxtaposes against the barren roadside settings. They also contain important aspects of the story, so make sure you pay close attention whilst watching them. Baruchel also manages to inject the atmosphere of the locations into the frame and out the other side of the screen to the viewer. You can almost tangibly feel the humidity and sweaty heat of the dirt-laden road that Todd and the group find themselves driving upon. It works to both further build the connection to the characters, and ratchet the blood pressure as you can almost place yourself amongst them. It’s an important element to bring into a road movie as, if it doesn’t feel alive, you don’t get the feeling of motion.

The kills are inventive, dark, and exceptionally bloody, most wouldn’t look out of place in the Hannibal television series, so it’s probably best to skip to popcorn with this one. The violence on display is key to the film’s success as it forms the basis of what the film is about. Random Acts of Violence explores the debates around artistic responsibility and our relationship with how different media forms legitimise violence, especially towards women. The different views, opinions, and facets, of these ideas is discussed through our core cast whom all seem to have varying opinions. You have Todd as the artist whom doesn’t fully understand why he should be held accountable for the actions of someone else, but fails to consider that although he might not be committing the acts himself, he is vicariously playing them out on paper. His wife Kathy is anti-violence and is on the trip to discover more about the real-life victims of the killer whom inspired Todd. Through her character we come to realise the harsh reality that often victims are indeed forgotten about. And then there’s Ezra whom looks at the whole thing as a business and nothing more.

Random Acts of Violence is a gritty and grisly road trip slasher film that taps into the veins of Kalifornia, 68 Kill, and Scream. It is a film that encourages debate whilst at the same time maintaining a frenetic and darkly fun energy.

Random Acts of Violence arrives on Shudder on 20th August 2020.