Mr. Crocket (2024) Movie Review: Where to Watch Online
In 2024, Mr. Crocket joins the ranks of horror films that cleverly exploit nostalgia, blending the cheery innocence of 90s children’s TV shows with terrifying supernatural elements. Directed by Brandon Espy, the film dives into every parent’s worst nightmare: losing a child to a demonic force lurking behind a seemingly benign kids’ show. For horror fans who enjoy dark twists on familiar, nostalgic elements, this Hulu original film offers both chilling visuals and a story that taps into universal fears.
Synopsis: When Nostalgia Turns Nightmarish
Mr. Crocket revolves around Summer, a single mother played by Jerrika Hinton, who embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her son Major (Ayden Gavin) after he’s kidnapped by the titular Mr. Crocket, a demonic children’s show host. The host, portrayed by Elvis Nolasco, uses an old-fashioned TV show to lure children into a nightmarish world where the rules of reality don’t apply. Mr. Crocket promises salvation for kids with troubled home lives, but the price is steep, and it’s their parents who ultimately pay the cost—often in gruesome ways.
Drawing inspiration from 90s children’s television like Barney & Friends and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, the film twists these once-beloved icons into grotesque parodies, featuring anthropomorphic mascots with exposed muscles, dangling eyeballs, and a thirst for blood. Mr. Crocket leverages these visual contrasts—between the familiar and the macabre—to create a visceral horror experience.
Where to Watch Mr. Crocket Online
As of now, Mr. Crocket is available exclusively on Hulu, as part of its annual “Huluween” slate. Hulu remains the sole streaming platform where viewers can watch Mr. Crocket, as it was developed as a Hulu original. For those who don’t have a Hulu subscription, Hulu offers a variety of subscription options, including a free trial period, so you can watch the film without any upfront costs.
In the U.S., Hulu’s base subscription starts at $7.99 per month, and for an ad-free experience, the cost is $14.99. Additionally, Mr. Crocket can be rented or purchased through various online services like Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu, making it accessible to a broader audience.
The Appeal of Mr. Crocket: Nostalgia Meets Terror
One of the key reasons Mr. Crocket resonates with audiences is its clever blend of nostalgia and horror. With today’s cultural fascination with the 90s, movies that tap into the collective memory of childhood often find success. However, Mr. Crocket goes a step further by warping the colorful, carefree world of children’s television into something twisted and dark. The film critiques how screens and shows sometimes stand in for parenting, echoing anxieties that continue into the digital age.
Espy’s inspiration from 90s pop culture is palpable. While the vibrant colors and upbeat music of children’s TV shows create an illusion of safety, the horror elements provide a sharp contrast, making each scene increasingly unsettling. The use of practical effects, especially for the demonic versions of the show’s mascots, takes this discomfort to another level. Alex Pardee, the film’s illustrator, brings to life terrifying creatures that linger in the viewer’s mind long after the film ends.
Storytelling Strengths and Weaknesses
While Mr. Crocket excels visually, the film struggles in terms of narrative cohesion. Adapted from a six-minute short film, Mr. Crocket stretches a simple premise across its 90-minute runtime, leading to some pacing issues. The film adds layers to Mr. Crocket’s character, giving him a moralistic agenda to “save” children from neglectful or abusive parents, but this deeper motivation sometimes muddies the waters of the story.
The film shines brightest in its opening act, where the sense of dread builds gradually as Major becomes more and more obsessed with Mr. Crocket’s show. However, by the third act, the stakes feel less compelling, with some characters never truly in danger. Despite the thrilling practical effects, the narrative itself begins to lose momentum.
Performances: Nolasco’s Sinister Mr. Crocket
Elvis Nolasco’s portrayal of Mr. Crocket is one of the film’s standout elements. His performance toes the line between absurd and terrifying, reminiscent of Freddy Krueger’s gleeful violence but with a unique, unsettling charm. Nolasco’s Mr. Crocket appears cheerful and friendly at first, but underneath his strained smile lies a psychopath with a messianic complex. He sees himself as a savior for children trapped in bad homes, but his methods are far from benign.
Jerrika Hinton’s performance as Summer, the desperate mother, is also commendable. Her character provides a much-needed emotional anchor in the film’s chaotic, surreal atmosphere. She conveys the fear and frustration of a mother who is doing her best but finds herself utterly powerless in the face of a supernatural threat.
The Horror of Parent-Child Dynamics
Mr. Crocket taps into a primal fear that many parents can relate to: the fear of losing their child to forces beyond their control. In the 90s, this fear was embodied by kidnappers and serial killers, often plastered across news outlets. Today, it manifests in the form of screens and digital content, where parents struggle to monitor what their children are exposed to. Espy effectively updates this timeless concern, using Mr. Crocket as a metaphor for the hidden dangers lurking in the seemingly safe world of children’s entertainment.
Verdict: Worth the Watch?
While Mr. Crocket may not be the next great horror classic, it certainly offers a chilling ride, especially for those who grew up watching 90s kids’ shows. The film’s practical effects, nostalgic references, and unsettling portrayal of childhood innocence corrupted make it worth watching. However, its narrative struggles prevent it from fully reaching its potential.
For horror fans who enjoy films that play with nostalgia or offer a fresh take on childhood fears, Mr. Crocket is a solid choice for a Halloween movie night. Its unique blend of cheerful aesthetics and horrifying undertones ensures that it’s an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.
Conclusion
Ready for a spine-chilling ride into the twisted world of 90s nostalgia? Stream Mr. Crocket now on Hulu and dive into a film that turns childhood innocence into your worst nightmare. If you don’t have Hulu, take advantage of their free trial and prepare to be terrified by Mr. Crocket’s unnerving world. Alternatively, rent or purchase the film on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Google Play.
