British director Karl Holt sets the bar high for his first feature film about a killer toy. While the subject matter is nothing new, Holt delivers a horror-comedy with a surprising amount of heart. Benny, the titular murderous stuffed animal, keeps comedic pace with Chucky while differentiating himself with child-like innocence. In the vein of other British horror-comedies like Shaun of the Dead, Benny Loves You has the potential to generate a cult following thanks to its lovable antagonist and substantial gore.
After a take it or leave it opening scene, Benny Loves You picks up on Jack (Karl Holt), a middle-aged toy designer that's struggling to advance in his career and personal life. He still lives with his parents -- his bedroom a time capsule of his childhood -- only leaving to fight the good battle at work where his archrival, Richard, continuously one-ups him. The unexpected death of his parents prompts Jack to get his life together, starting with the disposal of his many toys. However, Benny doesn't like that and, through some unexplained magic, the stuffed animal springs to life. While Jack initially embraces his newly animated best friend, it doesn't last long. Not only is Benny overly protective of his owner, but he has a dangerous appetite for murder.
From his first scene -- a goofy stuffed animal massacre -- Benny arguably steals the spotlight. Much of his humor is the result of his limited voice box vocabulary. When Jack demands to know why Benny killed his loan officer, the toy responds, "Benny loves you." From then on, each kill is punctuated with an enthusiastic "ta-da!" Jack's pleas for Benny to stop killing are met with the simple response of "okey-dokey," which, of course, Benny reneges on later. When Benny is on the screen, the film shines.
However, when Benny appears, gory kill sequences aren't usually far behind. While less experienced audiences might bulk at the blood and guts, it's sure to delight veterans of the genre. From squirting lemon in eyes to a gnarly vacuum scene, each kill sequence is innovative and not just a replica of the slasher films that came before it. There's no doubt Benny Loves You has a gore focus, but the kill sequences are well balanced by B movie charm that keeps them rooted in the comedic realm.
Despite Benny Loves You's gore, the film is not without heart. While the laugh-out-loud moments are prevalent, Holt seeks to tell a deeper story of love and jealousy. Jack and Benny's relationship remains at the center of the storyline. One of the film's highlights is a light-hearted montage of Jack developing Skare Bears -- a serial killer-inspired toyline. Jack decides to use Benny's blood lust as inspiration for his work, and Benny is more than happy to act as his model. While the sequence is brief, it paints an emotional connection between Jack and Benny that the audience can get behind. As a result, when things inevitably turn bad, viewers are rooting for Jack -- and Benny.
Aside from the plot, Benny Loves You is well acted and well thought out. It's clear Holt -- the writer, director, producer and star -- made the film with love. Even details one thinks are forgotten come back later with a neat tie-up. The cinematography is nothing special, but Benny offers nice contrast as a bright pop of red in the film's otherwise grayish overtones. Overall, as essentially a one-person project, the feature is an impressive debut from Holt.
There's no doubt Benny Loves You will fair well among horror fans. Benny's cute but sinister nature set him apart from similar films like Child's Play and Puppet Master. Holt is clearly a horror fan that is well acquainted with the genre. As such, his film delivers everything audiences expect while adding its own original flair. Beyond the blood, the film is a surprisingly emotional story about a love triangle of sorts; In this case, it just involves two humans and a toy. While Benny Loves You isn't groundbreaking in the subgenre, it's compelling. The film is cult following material thanks to its lovable antagonist.
Directed and written by Karl Holt and starring Karl Holt, Claire Cartwright and George Collie, Benny Loves You drops in select theaters May 7 and VOD May 11.