With catchy children’s songs, an entertaining yet disturbing lead villain, and a determined heroine, Mr. Crocket is terrific holiday fun!
Mr. Crocket presents a cautionary story about child mistreatment paving the way for danger. There is a mix of Sesame Street meets Mr. Roger’s neighborhood, and Levar Burton’s Reading Rainbow even gets a shoutout. It feels very much like the muppets from hell, and that’s part of its gory charm. With catchy children’s songs, an entertaining yet disturbing lead villain, and a determined heroine, Mr. Crocket is terrific holiday fun!
Directed by Brandon Espy (Bite Size Halloween) and written by Espy and Carl Reid (Mama!, Grounded), the tale is fun, even if some parts feel by the numbers. The horror flick follows Summer, played by Jerrika Hinton (The Piano Lesson, Hunters), as she fights to save her son, Major, played by Ayden Gavin (Big George Foreman), from a deceased children’s show host. Given the imagery and the muppet, Fraggle Rock feels the whole film is like a children’s show from hell. There are plot holes. However, Mr. Crocket is entertaining while being a cautionary story about the importance of words.
Mr. Crocket Is Creepy Because It’s Fantastical With Realistic Undertones
All of the dangers and abductions occur within Shurry Bottom, where a former children’s show host, Mr. Crocket, played by Elvis Nolasco (Godfather of Harlem, She’s Gotta Have It), had local appeal. While the concept of a vengeful spirit rising to snatch kids from parents is unlikely, having a living person stalking a family to take their kids is not farfetched. So, many will see themselves reflected in the parents in Mr. Crocket, the children, or both.
It also captures the frustrations of kids and parents. Every adult shakes their head when Summer gives her kid a whistle. Because it automatically sets up an impending strain after Summer and Major already suffered a tragic loss. So the Mr. Crocket premise reminds me of the short film Suckablood, as both visit judgment upon parents who abuse or neglect their children. However, Mr. Crocket, on closer inspection, is not an entity that rescues kids from neglect. He takes advantage of a fragile situation with Summer and Major to create further conflict.
Performances Feel Made For Children’s TV But Also Feels Like the Point
Except for some moments, most of the scenes in Mr. Crocket feel purposefully like a family film made for television, a sitcom, or a children’s show like Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. So the more you watch, the more creepily jarring it feels because of that element. Even the film’s end has a cheerful, catchy song that lifts the spirit. Jerrika Hinton is fantastic, and Elvis Nolasco shines as the villain. Kristolyn Lloyd (Undertow: Narcosis), as Rhonda, the first mother who loses her son, delivers grief, hopelessness, and overall resilience. Without these three central performances, the movie would struggle.
Mr. Crocket is a fun time despite some plot holes regarding his death and the time he began taking kids. It’s a bit pat and predictable but still delivers some catchy songs and a fantastic villain. Plus, the grotesque creatures seem right out of a children’s nightmare. Mr. Crocket is a villain viewers hopefully get to see more of in the future, alongside some gory, gross lessons to scare parents.
Enjoyed this review, it’s a great read. I keep hearing that Mr. Crocket was a missed opportunity—some think the character is scary but could’ve been even scarier. I wasn’t sure if I’d watch, but after reading this, I’m going to give it a try. Also, I enjoyed looking through your website and wish you all the best on your journey.
Thank you! I rarely get compliments. I feel like Mr. Crocket leaned into the nightmare child aspect. Mr. Crocket is scary if I think about what would frighten me as a kid, but the nightmare for parents is the real terror that someone is lurking to take your child. But it could’ve been scarier. Rather, it was incredibly creepy thanks to the actor playing Mr. Crocket. Have a blessed day!