…is a lighthearted romp through parenthood.
No, not really.
The recently released trailer for Tilda Swinton’s new movie titled “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, set to open in September, looks so terrifying I nearly peed myself with glee.
But let me back up.
I don’t like scary, horror-type films as a rule. And since having my own children, emotional thrillers usually leave me so emotionally worn out I have started avoiding them in favor of rom-coms starring Anne Hathaway.
Hey, don’t judge. They’re better for my blood pressure.
However, I am a lover of all things La Swinton so when I heard about this film “We Need to Talk About Kevin”… Well… You guys, we need to talk about “We Need to Talk About Kevin”.
Stealing the premise directly from the all mighty Wikipedia, “A mother recounts the events leading up to and following her son’s massacre of students and teachers at his high school.”
Based on the book of the same name, the movie also stars John C. Reilly and the remarkably spooky, don’t-want-to-get-stuck-in-a-dark-alley-with-this-guy, Ezra Miller as their son, Kevin, who from the get-go seems a little askew in the cranial area. From the trailer, which we’ll get to in a second, this kid from age one would take little Damien from the Omen fame, kick his ass, smirk while doing it (pretty sure this kid doesn’t smile. Ever.) while eating a sandwich, then go on his merry, murdering way.
Funny aside, Ezra Miller played the character of Damien in the Showtime series “Californication.” Coincidence? No, probably not.
But the real meat of the matter is that Swinton, the true thespian she is, called upon her own experiences with motherhood to develop the role of Kevin’s long-suffering mother, a woman who gave up her career to focus on raising her child. A child who goes on to become a murderer.
From the Huffington Post on why she chose the (what will be her third) imperfect mother roles:
“Her fear, the actress said, interested her. After having her own children, Swinton said she felt misunderstood and wanted her next movie roll to reflect this classic and internal conflict.”
It’s all so delicious, isn’t it? A real-life mother using her own insecurities to bring to light a character who has to work through the most terrifying of all parenting scenarios. Show of hands – who among us, those of us who have had a child or helped to make and/or raise one, hasn’t felt like they were living with a tiny mass murderer in the making? Huh? Just me?
Let’s go to the tape:
Scared? Intrigued? To be honest, this next clip is actually more frightening and stomach turning. Warning: Not for the faint of heart or for those who have recently given birth and are more than a little sleep deprived. The first 30 seconds nearly brought me to my knees and I’m a few years removed from this.
So what do you think? Will you be there during opening weekend to watch a parent’s biggest nightmare play out on a giant screen? And if you plan on it will you be sitting there with a big tub of popcorn and an even bigger tub of Prozac?
About ChickyBaby
Oh.Hell.To.The.YES!!
Twitter Name: angieuncovered
Sing it, Sista.
Twitter Name: chickybaby
The book is absolutely riveting! One of the best books I’ve ever read. Of course, Tilda is a genius, so I’m sure the movie will be amazing as well.
I almost always read the book first so it’s my next purchase. Good to hear the book is as amazing as the trailer.
Twitter Name: chickybaby
I read the book and simultaneously loved and was horrified by it. It’s a really interesting meditation on who’s at fault when kids go bad.
Being four weeks from popping out my first baby, though, I may skip the movie until I’m fairly certain he’s not inherently evil…
Twitter Name: sassycurmudgeon
Skip the movie. And good luck with the evilness…
Twitter Name: chickybaby
I have to skip it. I get too emotional. Especially toilet paper and diaper commercials. Sigh.
Twitter Name: thedgoddess
Ooh, the Pampers commercial they play around the holidays? The ones with the sleeping babies? And the pouty lips making the tiny sucking motions? Kills me every time.
Twitter Name: chickybaby
Going to request the book from the library today and yes, going to go see Tilda. Love her and this trailer makes me want to run to the theater!
-r
Twitter Name: sayitrahshay
Going to request the book from the library today and yes, going to go see Tilda. Love her and this trailer makes me want to run to the theater!
-r
Twitter Name: sayitrahshay
Going to request the book from the library today and yes, going to go see Tilda. Love her and this trailer makes me want to run to the theater!
-r
Twitter Name: sayitrahshay
Already two recommendations for the book so I say, run don’t walk to the library. No really. Now.
Twitter Name: chickybaby
Sweet Jesus, that looks so freaking awesome! All I wanna know, if why didn’t I ever think of the jackhammer drowning out the crying thing. INGENIOUS!! :)
I was thinking the same thing.
Twitter Name: chickybaby
I saw a blurb about this movie earlier this summer and decided to read the book. It was so good. I wish I had a book club to discuss it with good.
Twitter Name: TalkIsPrimary
I read this book over a year ago and it still haunts me. I can’t wait to see the movie, despite the fact that I’m terrified.
Twitter Name: escameron
Oy. My husband and I just started trying for another kid, but seeing that second video made me twitch. I think I have PTSD.
Twitter Name: nystoopmama