There are dozens of creature features that have gone down in history. From Jaws to Godzilla, the plot of a big, scary animal — made up or otherwise — eating people isn’t new. But Cocaine Bear, released in late February, created a new spin on the horror-creature-feature plot. As the title states, it’s about a bear. On Cocaine.
The trailer, released a few months prior, told the audience exactly what kind of movie it was. And the movie itself did not disappoint. Director Elizabeth Banks, told us what was going to happen. Yes, it is gory. Yes, it is goofy. And yes, it is simply about a bear eating cocaine and killing people.
At the very start of the movie, a hippy couple is introduced going on a hike in Chattahoochee National Park — only to get swiftly mauled in comedic fashion. Cocaine Bear steals some tropes from stereotypical slasher movies, where you already know almost the entire cast is getting their comeuppance.
Throughout the entire movie, there is gore, and there is comedy. It’s objectively a silly and stupid movie, and that’s part of its charm. There is an actual plot and some heartfelt moments aside from just the bear, but let’s be clear: Anyone watching the movie isn’t there for the character development.
That is no diss to the actors, though. The acting in the movie was as good as it can get for such an innately goofy movie, so there are no complaints in that sector. Some of the better-known actors involved were Ray Liotta (who unfortunately passed away before the release and was paid homage at the end of the film), Keri Russell, O-Shea Jackson Jr., and Isiah Whitlock Jr. The performance of the actors and actresses during the film was great, especially when it came to what the audience was paying attention to — the comedy.
However, this movie was clearly aimed toward a specific audience — those that would enjoy the mass gore and thrill and comedy. Many of the Top Critics on RottenTomatoes weren’t too amused by the rollercoaster of a plot, especially because of certain plot holes and the general goofiness of it.
Matthew Lickona asked, “Why does the bear kill everyone it meets during its drug rampage except for the one person it decides to kidnap? Why don’t people with guns shoot the bear when they have the chance? Because the movie needs to happen, that’s why!” He gave the move a score of 0/5.
The Tomatometer is 68 percent and the Audience Score is 71 percent. On IMBD, it’s 6.1/10. And Variety describes it as “luridly preposterous.”
No, Cocaine Bear isn’t aimed toward an audience that wants a movie with meaning, distinguished characters, and a complex story—or that has a weak stomach regarding blood.
The film is rated R for a reason. There is persistent talk about drugs, constant murder from a bear on those drugs, and foul language, even from the child actors for the sake of comedy. So is it the film you want to watch with your family? Unlikely. But is it a film that can make you laugh if horror comedy is to your liking? Absolutely.
As for the setting of the film, since the plot took place during 1985, everything from the clothes to the speech to the technology was accurate to the time. Certain scenes sometimes went on a little longer than needed, but the cuts between them were smooth. The lighting and shots were clean.
What also adds an air of comedy throughout is the fact that Cocaine Bear is based on a true story — a story not quite as fascinating, violent, and humorous, but a true story nonetheless. In 1985 in Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Park, a bear ate several pounds of abandoned cocaine, although that action was fatal to the bear. Another fun fact is that most of that lost cocaine was never found and could still be out there in the wilderness.
So yes, a bear has done cocaine before. And yes, Elizabeth Banks directed a movie about it. And yes, I recommend giving it a watch if a goofy, gory movie is to your liking. Because if you liked the trailer, you sure will like the movie.
