Hi all!

Today I am reviewing new-release, horror-comedy: Cocaine Bear. It hit cinemas in Australia last month, allowing me the pleasure of seeing it on the big screen. After a 500-pound black bear consumes a significant amount of cocaine, it embarks on a drug-fueled rampage. A bunch of quirky characters must survive its wrath in the Georgia forest. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

WHAT WORKED: 

The best part was the gore. It did not hold back in any way, shape or form. We saw limbs, entrails, fountains of blood and more. I love that it didn’t shy away from the violence. It was also hilarious. I was literally crying tears of laughter during the ambulance scene. If you want to see a horror that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Cocaine Bear is for you! Furthermore, the casting was excellent. It was Ray Liotta’s last role before he passed and honestly, that is kind of iconic. Keri Russell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Margo Martindale, Christian Convery, Brooklynn Prince, O’Shea Jackson Jr and more gave fantastic performances. The premise may sound simple and quite ridiculous, but the story had surprising depth and various plotlines to follow. It was also very self-aware, leaning into the absurdity of the concept. With a killer bear on the loose, a plethora of eccentric characters and a picturesque forest for a setting, you’re bound to have a good time. 

WHAT DIDN’T WORK: 

The biggest negative, in my opinion, was the film dragged in parts. There were a lot of filler scenes and not enough bear, which let’s face it, is what we all wanted. I also felt there were too many jokes. If the movie had been paced a bit better, there would have been more space to let them land. I found myself struggling to take in what the characters were saying, particularly when they were talking over the top of one another. The story was quite predictable as well. 

OVERALL STAR RATING: 

I gave it 4/5 stars. It is worth seeing at the cinema, purely for the entertainment factor.

Thank you so much for reading! Have you seen Cocaine Bear?

Peace & Love xoxo