Watch Cynthia

Cynthia is a dark comedy horror film directed by Devon Downs and Kenny Gage, which hit theaters on August 31st, 2018. The story revolves around a couple, Robin and Michael, who are having a baby through artificial insemination and are surprised by the birth of their mutant child, Cynthia. The film is a satirical take on parenting and the fear of the unknown.

The movie opens with a scene of a male doctor performing artificial insemination on a woman, which sets the stage for what's to come. After the baby's unexpected and unnatural birth, the doctor who handled the insemination becomes obsessed with Cynthia and wants to study her genetic makeup to understand how he created her. This obsession leads him to kidnap the baby and sends Robin and Michael on a journey to get their child back.

Scout Taylor-Compton, who plays the part of Robin, delivers a delightful performance. She brings a lightness to her role that is perfectly balanced with the film's dark humor. Michael, played by Kyle Jones, also adds great humor to the film with his character's awkwardness and fear of fatherhood. Rebecca Marshall portrays the couple's friend, Bianca, who is heavily pregnant and serves as the film's comic relief.

The film's main antagonist, Dr. Zellaby, is played by James William O'Halloran, who manages to make his character both creepy and funny. He is the twisted scientist who believes that Cynthia is the key to unlocking the secrets of genetics, and he will stop at nothing to get his hands on her. Dr. Zellaby's character is the driving force of the film's plot, and O'Halloran does an excellent job in bringing that energy to the screen.

What makes Cynthia stand out is its unique blend of horror and comedy. The film is not overly gory, which allows viewers who are not fans of the horror genre to still enjoy it. Instead, it relies on humor to tell its story. Most horror films tend to make their audiences uncomfortable, but Cynthia is different, as it uses comedy to make viewers laugh while also scaring them at the same time.

The film's visuals are also impressive, with the use of practical effects adding a realism that is not often seen in horror movies anymore. The mutant baby, Cynthia, is a fantastic example of how practical effects can be much more effective than relying on CGI. The baby looks disturbingly realistic, and the discomfort it generates in viewers is a testament to how effective the practical effects are.

The film's pacing is another area where it excels. The pacing is fast, which helps to keep viewers engaged throughout the movie. The film's 89-minute runtime is perfect for this kind of horror-comedy, as longer films can tend to drag on and lose their audience's attention.

One thing that works against the film, though, is that it tries to do too much. Cynthia attempts to tackle several themes, including parenthood, the fear of the unknown, and the morality of scientific experimentation. This makes the film's message feel muddled at times, and some scenes can comes across as unnecessary. Cynthia could have benefited from a clearer focus on the message it was trying to convey, as it would have made the film more cohesive and impactful.

Overall, Cynthia is an enjoyable horror-comedy film that manages to deliver a unique take on the genre. Its blend of humor, horror, and practical effects make it a must-see for anyone who enjoys horror-comedy films. Its strong performances from its cast and fast pacing make it an entertaining and memorable experience. While the filmmakers might have tried to do too much, it doesn't detract from the overall fun that the film provides.

Cynthia is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.6.