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[NFF ’18 Review] ‘Kill Ben Lyk’ Is A Chuckle-Filled Murder Romp

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It’s not often that I come across a new British crime comedy that I love. Aside from the work of Guy Ritchie and a few other scattered films, most of the ones I have sat down with since the early 2000s glut have left me cold. As a result, I practically jump for joy when I find a new one that strikes a chord in me. Kill Ben Lyk did just that.

The story is simple. Someone named Ben Lyk not only witnessed a mob hit in London but filmed it too. The doofus also happened to leave behind a gym membership card. Since they have little to go on and there are 11 different people by the name of Ben Lyk in the greater London area, the mob boss orders them all dead.

Once Scotland Yard catches onto what is happening, they round up the remaining Ben Lyks and place them all at a safe house on a country estate. What follows is a game of cat and mouse as the assassins close in and the collective Bens Lyk attempt to figure out why exactly all of this is happening. Hijinks ensue and bodies begin to quickly pile up, often in increasingly hysterical ways.

Simply put, while not perfect, this film is hilarious. British humor can often be an acquired taste, but this one plays things broad enough that it will have you chuckling throughout. The film has a whip-smart screenplay, deft comedic direction, and some fun turns from an incredibly game cast. Chief among them being Eugene Simon, Dimitri Leonidas, Simone Ashley, and James Chalmers.

Kill Ben Lyk doesn’t reinvent the Brit comedic crime thriller wheel, but it has a hell of a lot of fun with its characters and premise. How many Ben Lyks survive and what will be left of them? You’ll have to catch it yourself to find out. I recommend that you do.

Devourer of film and disciple of all things horror. Freelance writer at Bloody Disgusting, DVD Active, Cult Spark, AndersonVision, Forbes, Blumhouse, etc. Owner/operator at The Schlocketeer.

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Anna Faris & Regina Hall Promise ‘Scary Movie’ Will “Offend Everyone;” New Images Revealed

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The Wayans are out to cancel the Cancel Culture with Scary Movie, and the cast assures it will do just that.

“They sort of have an across-the-board style,” Anna Faris tells EW. “It’s always been a part of the Wayans Brothers, their electricity. ‘Can we offend you? Will you still love us? Come on, you still love us, don’t you?'”

Regina Hall concurs, promising the “boundary-pushing” sixth installment in the horror parody franchise will “offend everyone.”

EW has shared a batch of behind-the-scenes images from Scary Movie, which hits theaters June 5 via Paramount.

Faris and Hall are joined by fellow franchise favorites Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dave Sheridan, Lochlyn Munro, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, and Jon Abrahams in the legacy sequel.

The ensemble includes Damon Wayans Jr., Gregg Wayans, Kim Wayans, Benny Zielke, Cameron Scott Roberts, Heidi Gardner, Olivia Rose Keegan, Ruby Snowber, Savannah Lee Nassif, Sydney Park, Kenan Thompson, and Felissa Rose.

Michael Tiddes (A Haunted House) directs from a script by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, original Scary Movie director Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans (Scary Movie 2), and Rick Alvarez (A Haunted House).

The film will slash through reboots, remakes, requels, prequels, sequels, spin-offs, elevated horror, origin stories, anything with the word legacy in it, and everyfinal chapterthat absolutely isn’t final.

Scary Movie launched in 2000, followed by Scary Movie 2 in 2001. The Wayans’ involvement ended there, but the series continued with 2003’s Scary Movie 3, 2006’s Scary Movie 4, and 2013’s Scary Movie 5.

Regina Hall & Marlon Wayans on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Anna Faris on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Marlon Wayans & Regina Hall on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Michael Tiddes & Anna Faris on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Marlon Wayans on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Regina Hall & Anna Faris on the set of ‘Scary Movie.’ Credit: Paramount Pictures.

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