Mikes Film Talk

The Becky saga; Becky 1, Becky 2; The Wrath of Becky and soon, the pundits say, Becky 3 with Lulu Wilson reprising the role of the titular character is coming soon. Both 1 & 2 are funny, wicked and bloody. Word to the wise though, watch them in order otherwise the films don’t make as much sense.

Not knowing any better, I started watching The Wrath of Becky first. It did not occur to me that there had been an earlier version. The leading character explains, via a kick arse montage sequence (Just over 5 minutes in.) just how she got to “be here.”

Becky the Story

A 13, or 14, year old girl’s weekend at the family lake house goes South when a gang of convicts crash the party. The girl turns warrior, think MacGyver here, to wage war on the intruders.

The Wrath of Becky Story

Two years after the attack at the lake house, the girl has to take on a terrorist group who kill her landlady and kidnap her dog. Another MacGyver turn ensues.

Becky #3 Story

To be determined…

The Cast(s)

Becky – 2020

Lulu Wilson is Becky.

Kevin James is Dominick.

Joel McHale is Becky’s dad; Jim.

Robert Maillet is Apex.

Amanda Brugel is Kayla.

Ryan McDonald is Cole.

James McDougall is Hammond.

The Wrath of Becky – 2023

Lulu Wilson is Becky.

Seann William Scott is Daryl Jr.

Denise Burse is Elena.

Jill Larson is Daryl Sr.

Michael Sirow is Anthony.

Aaron Dalla Villa is DJ.

Matt Angel is Sean.

Courtney Gains is Twig.

Let’s Talk Becky and The Wrath of Becky

Right off the bat, let’s get the issue of Becky’s age dealt with. In the first film, she is 13. The events of the second film, that takes place two years later, Becky says she is 16. Simple math tells us she is 15. This is a slight conundrum that can either be down to her just lying, or more than two years have elapsed.

The age is only important in terms of relativity. The year 2000 saw the world introduced to Kinji Fukasaku‘s Battle Royale. The average age of the protagonists in this inflammatory film was around 13/14. The world’s critics were outraged that children were killing children. *The film is brilliant. If you have not seen this one, and you can stand subtitles, check it out. Thank me later.*

In Becky, at least, our heroine is of a similar age. She is not, however, killing other kids. This young lady is killing grown men. Rather nastily. Both “Becky” films are darkly comic, full of action and both are a thrilling ride.

The Wrath of Becky shows just how the character has grown in terms of adaptability. That she is damaged from her killing spree in the first film is shown by her traumatic daydreams. Becky “kills” a customer for complaining about his toast not being pre-buttered. It is a fantasy, but one of the darkest most twisted sort.

Both Film’s Work

The first film; co-directed by Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion, is more traumatizing by nature. Our heroine utilizes much more of that MacGyver touch; she has to. Becky has been referred to as “John Wick meets Home Alone” it is a fairly apt description. It is also a tad simplistic. The dog does not die, Becky is not alone and she is facing a lot more than two guys who share a single brain cell between them. *Granted, the bad guys in Becky are not brain surgeons either, but there are rather more than two.*

The second film is also co-directed. Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote sit in the big chairs this time around. In this sequel, Diego is dog-napped. Becky’s lovely landlady, Elena is taken out pretty quickly and now our heroine has two things to avenge. In this film, she trains. Setting traps, throwing knives and finally learning what that key from the first film really is.

Fun

Both films are gory, brutal fun. The bad guys are just that; bad. We want to see Becky punish them unto death. She may not be wearing a white hat and they are not donning black stetsons, but in terms of good vs evil, she is the definite hero here.

In the first film, it feels more personal. This time around it feels like she is all business. The rhyme, “There was a little girl” is in both films and it’s perfectly suited to the action. At one point Daryl Jr asks Becky if she is having fun. “Wicked fun,” she replies.

*Side note: Courtney Gains, a personal favorite, gets the best crossbow wound ever. It is darkly funny and one laughs despite the grotesque appearance.*

Rated R

Both films are rated R. Not too surprising considering the amount of claret (blood) spilled and the images of violent death on offer. In many ways, Becky feels like a kindred spirit to another “B” girl; Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” True Grit, by Charles Portis, is mentioned twice in the second film. The allegory being that Becky is like Mattie Ross. However, with the amount of death dealt by this new girl, she feels more like Buffy Summers.

The Verdict

Both films earn a solid 4.5 stars for originality and making it all too believable that a teenage girl can take out so many villains. Becky is streaming on Paramount + while The Wrath of Becky is streaming on Netflix. If bloody violence does not put you off, head on over and check these out. They are well worth the trip.

The Trailers