Kids vs. Aliens (2022): A Gory, R-Rated Love Letter to ’90s Kids’ Horror
Kids vs. Aliens (2022): A Gory, R-Rated Love Letter to ’90s Kids’ Horror
“Goosebumps meets Evil Dead—but leave the kids at home.” — 3/5 Stars
On the eve of Halloween, there’s a special kind of joy in a movie that doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: loud, bloody, and wildly entertaining. Kids vs. Aliens (2022) is exactly that—a gory, R-rated romp that wears its influences like badges of honor. Think of it as what happens when the kids who grew up on Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark? hit their 30s, watched Evil Dead, and decided to make something that honors both. Unlike R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead—a perfect gateway horror for younger viewers—this one is decidedly not for kids. It’s chaotic, profane, and drenched in practical-effects gore.
The film follows Sam, a sharp-witted teen played with fierce commitment by Phoebe Rex, as she tries to survive a Halloween house party that goes catastrophically wrong when alien invaders crash the scene. What unfolds is a blend of creature-feature mayhem, sibling loyalty, and teenage panic—all filtered through the lens of a VHS-era aesthetic that feels ripped from a 1990s Blockbuster shelf. Director Jason Eisener (Hobo with a Shotgun) isn’t aiming for the Criterion closet. He’s aiming for your Halloween party, and he hits the target dead-on.
Fun First, Logic Second
This was a really fun, and funny movie, but make no mistake, this is a Horror movie with comedy elements, not a parody. The laughs come from escalation, not mockery.The films script, or rather at least the polt , is not the tighest , it very much does read like the full length verison of the short from V/H/S anthogoly , but what was added was mostly time, not plot. The rules of the invasion , and the aliens themesleve appear loose, and yes—there are moments where you’ll want to yell, “Just run away!” or “Why are you not fighting!” One alien has scissor hands—and that’s just accepted, no explanation given. here’s the thing: when someone actually tries to fight back—like Sam—the aliens are surprisingly appear surprsingly easy to kill. Make any previous and latter deaths seems for naught.
Practical Effects and Heart
Eisener delivers exactly what fans want: goopy practical effects, gleefully low-fi creature design, and a third act that leans into absurdity without losing emotional stakes. The young cast is excellent—especially Phoebe Rex, who anchors the chaos with real vulnerability and grit. This isn’t just splatter; there’s heart beneath the slime.
The ending raises more questions than it answers—and to be honest that’s fine. It’s not aiming for neat resolution. It’s aiming for fun, and on that front, it delivers completely.
Final Verdict: A gory, R-rated love letter to ’90s kids’ horror that’s a lot of fun. It won’t haunt you—but it’ll leave you grinning through the blood spray. 3/5 stars.
Official trailer for Kids vs. Aliens (2022)
Comments
Post a Comment