Nato – John and Dave from John Dies At The End
What could be better than two deadbeats who accidentally stumble upon a drug that turns them into dimension-hopping monster killers? Oh, a lifesaving dog and creatures made out of meat products, that’s right, how silly of me. Thank you Don Coscarelli, because while John Dies At The End may not be for everyone, those of us slackers just begging to be represented hilariously in the horror genre now have the motivation to become something more – if I can only get my hands on some Soy Sauce. No, not the sauce that comes in tiny packages with your Chinese takeout. Just watch the movie and you’ll understand.
While Coscarelli’s eye for the weird and seriously absurd help adapt David Wong’s novel with ease, it was lead actors Chase Williamson and Rob Mayes who impressed as Dave and John, respectively, and who absolutely nailed that “unexpected heroes” vibe. Life wasn’t going many places for these two, but after a chance encounter with a strange Rastafarian, their eyes are opened to terrifying, incomprehensible things that force John and Dave into a life they never asked for – but don’t hate that much. Naked cultists, a talking volcano monster, penis door handles – if you want a seriously “out-there” watch, look no further.
Not to spoil the title of the film, but I’d happily watch both John and Dave embark on another crazy adventure. Maybe with less penis doorknobs this time, though.