As October starts, we often see many films in the horror genre due to Halloween. Many filmmakers try to add different stories such as thriller, psychological, dream, and comedy to make it better and satisfy the audiences’ needs. Different people have different choices when it’s comes to their combination with horror; however, horror-comedy has its own fandom. Netflix’ new release of “Hubie Halloween” is a new addition to the list.
The story is set in Salem; Halloween is about to come, and the town that’s all set to celebrate it. In Salem, there is a guy name Hubie (Adam Sandler) who lives with his mother (June Squibb) and is in love with his schoolmate divorce and mother of his three child’s Violet Valentine (Julie Bowen). He is frequently bullied due to his childish way of talking, making him a grown child in people’s eyes. That makes him a victim of persistent pranks by everyone in the town of Salem. Hubie always helps all those around him, despite all the bullying by adults and kids equally.
During every Halloween, Hubie takes responsibility for the townspeople’s security, which he considers family tradition. He keeps telling people to set a limit with the fun, but nobody takes him or his instructions seriously. The people who have been bullying him for years start disappearing. Hubie starts to assume the cause of it is a supernatural force. That leads him to try and convince the town and the cops to help fix the situation. Can Hubie rescue the town from its horrible situation this Halloween? The entire story tells us that.
“Hubie Halloween” begins on a stirring notation with a ghost getting away from the asylum, which gives viewers an idea about an unusual horror-comedy. The film is written by Adam Sandler and co-writer Tim Herlihy, who lacks the right weight that horror-comedy needs to be more effective…even as the plot gets to the intense part when people in town start getting kidnapped, giving the protagonist a true mystery to resolve. There are a ridiculous romantic subplot and a mother/son relationship that works for the film and for some good doses of a laughs from the scenes.
Kevin James and Adam Sandler in “Hubie Halloween” (Happy Madison Productions, 2020).
The film is directed by Steven Brill, who manages to place the film in the Halloween space with incredible sets. There’s no massacre or illustrative sequences, but the horror components still fascinate. He manages to originate the Halloween experience in reel and real life. Most of the story runs on a funny note that will not let you connect with the unfair treatment Hubie gets from all. The film seems a bit stretched in most of the scenes and there are some repeated jokes. Steven Brill had a good script that had the capacity to be a better horror-comedy…but he failed to encapsulate the much- needed human emotions.
After seeing Adam Sandler’s amazing performance in the film “Uncut Gems,” many sought to see him again doing something in a similar space. However, as childlike Hubie, he is back to what he has known for, and he does it in the best way. His body language and way of speaking help his character. Kevin James plays the role of Sargent Steve Downey, and Julie Bowen as Violet Valentine both give good performances that help the plot. As other supporting cast, we see actors like Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Colin Quinn, and some cameo stars like Dan Patrick and Shaquille O’Neal, which have small parts but are pleasant to watch.
“Hubie Halloween” is full of madness, a light-hearted horror comedy that many can enjoy on the weekend. It has all the elements you look for in any of Adam Sandler’s films. If one wishes to watch a comedy with a touch of horror during Halloween, it’s definitely worth looking for. You can check on this film now on Netflix.
2 Comments
Good review going to watch this film now .
Review made me think about watching.. thanks Arpit Sir ..