Watch Otis

Otis is a dark comedy horror film released in 2008 directed by Tony Krantz and written by Thomas Schnauz. The movie tells a story about a dysfunctional family who become a victim of kidnapping by the town's infamous serial killer, Otis. Otis (Bostin Christopher) is a lonely young man who is obsessed with prom dates. His family owns a scrapyard business, and he uses the equipment from the yard to stage realistic prom dates, complete with balloons, flowers, and music. However, he's frustrated that these "dates" never seem to end with the results he wants.

Enter the Washingtons: Will (Kevin Pollak) and Kate (Illeana Douglas) are an affluent, successful couple. But things aren't all sunshine and rainbows in their house. Their older daughter, Riley (Ashley Johnson), is a rebellious teenager who constantly clashes with her parents. Meanwhile, their younger daughter, Kim (Tarah Paige), is sheltered and has never been allowed to go on a date, let alone to a prom.

Otis decides that he wants to take Kim on a prom date, but instead of asking her out like a normal person, he kidnaps her and holds her captive in his underground basement. His plan is to stage the perfect prom with Kim, complete with outfits, decorations, and a slow dance. Meanwhile, the Washingtons are contacted by Otis, who is mocking them with all kinds of perverted jokes and demands a ransom.

The movie itself is an amalgam of humor and horror, with many uncomfortable and uneasy scenes involving the serial killer, Otis. The film's dark humor comes from the interactions between the killer and the family, as well as the reactions of the characters. Every scene finds a way to balance the two aspects perfectly, making sure that each scene is just bizarre enough to create an unsettling but still ultimately enjoyable viewing experience.

Admittedly, the acting in the movie is not top-notch by any means, but everyone sells their roles well enough to make the movie enjoyable. Bostin Christopher delivers a fantastic performance as the socially-inept and slightly unhinged Otis, with a believable and creepy performance. The rest of the cast, including Ashley Johnson and Tarah Paige, deliver great acting, giving their characters enough depth and plenty of opportunities to showcase their talents.

Without spoiling anything, the movie builds to an intense and thrilling third act that provides an excellent and satisfying conclusion to the story. The filmmakers find a way to escalate the tension and suspense without turning the movie into a full-blown horror flick, which is a refreshing change of pace from some of the more gruesome movies in the genre.

Overall, Otis is a hilarious and unsettling dark horror-comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously. Its clever blend of humor and horror makes it a unique and enjoyable viewing experience. While it may not be perfect, it's definitely worth watching, and its memorable characters and inventive storyline make it an ideal choice for fans of horror-comedy.

Otis is a 2008 comedy. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.