Sick is a pandemic horror comedy directed by John Hyams and written by Kevin Williamson and Katelyn Crabb. It debuted at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and would make its way to the Peacock streaming service in 2023 for a wide release. It was made by Miramax and Blumhouse Productions.

College student Parker Mason (Gideon Adlon) and her best friend Miri Woodlow (Beth Million) are preparing to lockdown together at Parker’s family vacation home at the start of April 2022. While Parker is more loose, Miri demands that they wear masks in the car. Shortly after they arrive, Parker’s on-again and off-again boyfriend DJ Cole (Dylan Sprayberry) arrives to get some closure over a social media post. As the three get high together, a mysterious figure arrives to haunt them while under quarantine.

The movie is something. I am glad that there are those in Hollywood who saw the absurdity in how the pandemic allowed was handled. Sure, it mocks the mask Karens, the social distancing hypocrisy, and the insane level in which it was handled. However, it feels too little too late.

Honestly, it was just kind of meh. The humor brought a smile here and there, but no laughter or even a chuckle. Most of the jokes were derived from observational humor that that the audience would understand about quarantine, but it lacked a certain amount of cleverness.

Sure, the acting was competent. The small cast did their best in their roles, but it was nothing impressive, but also not terrible. They were not very good at relaying the danger or the tension that was happening around them.

Like the humor, the spooks were not spooky at all. Every jump scare was predictable and I am a little disappointed in Blumhouse with this one. I expect more.

Just circling back, it is odd that Hollywood stars have finally found their courage in talking about pandemic policies. We saw this with Woody Harrelson, right? He delivered a joke on SNL mocking the lockdowns, but where was the entertainment industry two years ago? Only a cheesy dystopian rom-com titled Songbird dared to show the corruption that those handling the pandemic policies of 2020 and 2021 brought upon us early on. This movie targets more the personal lengths that people went to quarantine themselves. While this was going on, Hollywood targeted and joined in the silencing of dissenters. Now that it is safe, these movies are going to be made with many more likely to come out.

Botton line, Sick is mediocre as both a comedy and a horror film. As for its mockery of the lockdowns, it feels disingenuous with its timing and subject.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Strong foul language, Strong violence, Inappropriate humor

FAVORITE QUOTE: Are you serious?

Check out the trailer below:

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