“You want a killer hillbilly? I’ll show you a killer hillbilly.”
– Dale
SYNOPSIS: Affable hillbillies Tucker and Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are mistaken for murderers by a group of preppy college students. – via IMDB
I remember when this came out, I was dead set against watching it. One part was being contrary about watching a recommendation from someone I was a) peeved with and b) I considered to have sketchy taste. I did not feel like a stoner movie (his forte). Ultimately I was roped into this by my now-husband, and I was pleased I was. What I thought this movie was and what it turned out to be? Two totally different things. Horror comedy. Why didn’t someone just open with that? You know I would have been all over that!
Tucker and Dale vs Evil is conscious of what it is, and owns it. Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine are perfectly cast as hapless hillbillies Tucker and Dale. Like, really. The movie gets right into the plot, no dilly dallying, and I am good with that. The run-time is also perfect, so before anything (read: humour) gets the chance to become stretched out and stale, the movie is over, leaving you with a bundle of laughs and pretty damn good comedy throughout. There are so many memorable lines that will stay with you, and silly little scenes.
The movie is smarter than you initially think, but still not necessarily a sharp comedy, if that makes sense? It is a bundle of fun, and genuinely gets you laughing at times. Unfortunately, it is not perfect. The final act is a bit messy, and the humour not as fast of quick or as frequent as before, and comes across as trying too hard a little. Not to say it isn’t funny anymore, it is just not as hilarious as earlier.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil was an unexpected gem for me back in the day, and a movie I still reap quite a bit of enjoyment from. If you are into horror comedy, this certainly leans more on the comedy side, though it has plenty of gore to keep the bloodlust of a horror viewer at bay. I would definitely recommend giving this a spin, especially if you are in for a good laugh, misunderstood hillbillies, and some icky deaths.
I would like to say that the trailer is a spoiler, so if you have not seen this, skip the trailer and just go straight on to the movie. Trust me.
The Sporadic Chronicles 
Do you KNOW how many times I’ve started and stopped this film? But literally five minutes in, because I was feeling lazy or something. I should definitely get to it with my new found love for horror-comedy-things.
Great review bestie! I MUST know who the offender was, though I think I have an idea!
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Definitely a winner for horror comedy hehehe. You should totally give it a shot.
Thanks fairest! Hmmmm, I would love to hear who you think the offender is!
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Dearest SJB,
A MILLION TIMES YES! You should give this movie a 15! I felt the same way, I never wanted to watch it, then I did, and I LOVED it
Love,
SSC
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Dearest SSC,
😀 YAY! This movie is ridiculously fun!
#GreatMinds
Love,
IJB
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You and I are the same on this one Zoe. First time I heard the title I kinda chuckled and said “no way,” but then I watched it. And….damn. I remember having laughs throughout this that were painful! Yeah it’s a pretty goofy little thing but like you mentioned, it’s so much better that the movie KNOWS it’s really goofy and just goes for that head-on. Nice review!
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Thanks Tom! Yeah, this movie really takes you by surprise, and then it’s a ridiculous and hilarious ride throughout. Much fun to be had 🙂
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Your review makes me think of Cabin in the Woods which I absolutely love, plus… Alan Tudyk! 🙂 I’ve always enjoyed him since Firefly. 🙂 Thanks! Definitely will watch this flick which otherwise I’d have skipped…
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Ah, Cabin in the Woods is a great movie for sure! This is well worth checking out. Hope you enjoy it!
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Hey Zoë, I’ve just finished watching it! Thanks for your recommendation, I loved it! Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden and Tyler Labine are such a good match. I didn’t really like the students – it’s not like they were meant to be likeable, but the characters were just too blank.
Anyway, it is an insane, lovely and original film. Thanks!
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Glad to hear you enjoyed it, loads of fun!
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Which other similar movies can you recommend? Except for Edgar Wright’s stuff and “Cabin…” 😄
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I quite enjoy horror comedies, and some of my favourites over recent years (off the top of my head) are:
Fright Night
The Final Girls
What We Do In The Shadows
Housebound
Suburban Gothic
Krampus
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Absolutely love this movie and what it does with the genre, small budget creativity.
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Definitely a fun one!
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Wow, thanks! I enjoy horcom too, but haven’t seen too many of them. Any of these have sci-fi flavour? 😊
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Reblogged this on and commented:
“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil”. Damn, that was unexpected. I somehow totally missed this movie, so thanks to Zoë. It’s neither sci-fi nor horror (at least, not in its traditional form) so I won’t write a full review, but it is a hilarious, witty and original horror comedy, well written and acted. Highly recommended for any fan of “Cabin in the Woods” or “Shaun of the Dead”.
P. S. By the way… “Tacker & Dale vs. Evil” stars Alan Tudyk of “Firefly” and “Serenity”.
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Did you see the Italian weird comedy horror “Della Morte, Dell’Amore”? Maybe you’ll like it too. I found it funny, but it’s a very weird film.
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