SNL Alum Kyle Mooney goes back in time with Y2K, crafting a genre mash-up between a coming-of-age flick and a Sci-Fi/Horror Film.
Y2K takes place on the last day of 1999. Two high school juniors (Jaedan Martell, IT) and Danny (Julian Dennison, Deadpool 2) decide to crash a New Year’s Eve Party. But, when the clock strikes midnight, all electronics turn against humanity. This forces Eli and Danny to join forces with the stoner Ash (Lachlan Watson), the lyricist C.J. (Daniel Zolgardhi, Eighth Grade), and Eli’s crush Laura (Rachel Zegler, West Side Story) as they all try and survive the apocalypse.
Going Back to the 90s in Y2K
Regarding Y2K, director Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live) made a fun and hilarious genre mash-up. The film combines coming-of-age teen party films such as 1995’s Can’t Hardly Wait with a sci-fi twist. All the while, the movie completes it with horror elements. Additionally, Mooney and co-writer Evan Winter manage to provide a sense of stakes. This is especially evident when the film switches genres. Furthermore, the coming-of-age and the sci-fi/horror aspects complement each other. Both elements of the film also manage to maintain a level of heart. We see this carry over through the main character, Eli (Martell), and his actions throughout the film. In a way, the film keeps that simple sentimentality present in the 1990s.
Cinematographer Bill Pope displays that 90s sentimentality effectively. The first half is bright, while the second half shows the opposite. Pope also outlines the cinematography, featuring a lived-in quality. In succession, this feels palpable with the coming-of-age essence of the film and the sci-fi/horror aspect of the film. So, it highlights Jason Singleton’s production design, which feels authentic to the 90s. Moreover, costume designer Katrina Danabasis favors certain 90s clothes, namely the bucket hat and low-waist jeans. Thus, it matches the film’s attempt to recreate nostalgia for the late 90s/early 2000s.
Music and Visual Effects
Likewise, the score from composers Saunder Jurrians and Danny Bensi exhibit a techno-synth sound. In turn, the sound matches well with the film’s sci-fi elements. Jurrians and Bensi also provide a level of consistency with the score. By the same token, the film’s soundtrack includes songs such as “Thong Song” by Sisqo and “Time of Your Life” by Green Day. Both of which contribute to recreating the 90s look and feel. The use of songs also helps bake itself into the transition from childhood to adulthood.
On top of that, the visual effects, while modern, harken back to the early 90s when CGI was still in its infancy. Additionally, Weta Workshop provides incredible practical effects for the film. In particular when it comes to the robots. With an hour and thirty-three minutes, editor David Marks allows scenes to breathe. However, this comes at the cost of some of the film’s jokes going on for too long and not landing. It also creeps to a major halt during the second half.
Performances in Y2K
As for the cast, most of them deliver solid to good performances. Starting with Jaeden Martell as Eli, he brings an everyman quality to the role. Furthermore, his chemistry with Julian Dennison and Rachel Zegler becomes a highlight. Yet, as much as it’s a highlight, it’s also a weakness. This is because it shows how much both Dennison and Zegler are more entertaining to watch. In the case of Dennison, he quickly becomes a standout as Eli’s best friend, Danny.
While it does skew, the chemistry between Dennison and Martell is believable. As for Zegler, she delivers a solid wit and charm as Eli’s love interest Laura. Zegler also maintains a balance between levels of humor and seriousness. In turn, this serves her well during the sci-fi/horror portion of the film. Concerning the rest of the cast, everyone manages to deliver solid performances. This was complete with well-known actors such as Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, Batman & Robin) coming in as a supporting player.
Final Thoughts
Daniel Zolgardhi, Lachlan Watson, Jaeden Martell, and Rachel Zegler in Y2K. Courtesy of A24
With Y2K, Mooney, and co-writer Winter craft a solid genre mash-up. One that balances both aspects well. Namely, the coming-of-age aspect and the sci-fi/horror aspect both get their time to shine. Both genres complement each other with a sense of stakes and heart. As for the cast, the two standouts are Dennison and Zegler, despite being led by Martell. Overall, Y2K is a genre-blending delight that asks, “What if Y2K was real?”
