Mikes Film Talk

Dylan K. Narang co-writes and directs the 2025 Comedy film Tapawingo. It is a bully saga with some pretty heavy hitters. Cast-wise this is a dream team of actors who bring impressive “bona fides” to the table. More about that later. *Narang shares writing credit with “story by” author Brad DeMarea. He also reached out to his alma mater before filming started in 2021.*

Tapawingo Story

A quirky “oddball” faces a family of town bullies to protect his boss’s son. Cue some weird and wonderful battles and team building (Not in that order.) as Nate steps up.

The Tapawingo Main Cast

Jon Heder is Nate Skoog.

Jay Pichardo is Will Luna.

Sawyer Williams is Oswalt Eubank.

Billy Zane is Stoney Tarwater.

Amanda Bearse is Ramona Skoog.

John Ratzenberger is Tom Roan.

Gina Gershon is Dot.

Kim Matula is Gretchen.

Kick Arse Cameo

Cynthia Dallas as June Beach.

Let’s Talk Tapawingo

Let’s address the elephant in the room right off the bat. No, despite the star of the picture, this is not a Napoleon Dynamite clone. To be fair, this could be Napoleon as a more grown up version of himself. *If one wants to be really pedantic, another Jon Heder film; Plan B (2024) can be seen as a fully grown Napoleon. One who has lost a lot of his “tics.”*

While this is not a part 2 of the 2004 lowkey comedy, it does offer the same comedy with a heart storyline. Nate Skoog has a similar “bent” of Napoleon. He is, however, a man versus a teenage boy. Nate does still live at home, but not with a “rebel” grandma, he lives with his mum.

Writer/director Naranda states:

Ultimately, Tapawingo is about trying — about stepping into a moment you always imagined, even if you feel unprepared. It is about friendship, the courage to leave home, and the strength required to move forward.

It is comedic, heartfelt, earnest, and personal.

Tapawingo Works

Naranda hits all his goals. As stated, the film is all about friendship, and courage, to paraphrase like mad here. It is also about other relationships. The one off “fling” with mad as a box of frogs Dot the secretary. Plus the more dangerous romance with Gretchen. The film dares to show that it ain’t just girls who get carried away with “bad boys.” The reverse is also true.

The film is earnest in its delivery and its performances. It does offer the same sort of “small town” characters. People who we might not hang with at the old 1970’s/80’s mall but ones we recognise readily. Those folks, often incorrectly, that are labeled as losers by the small minded. Folks who are just as passionate about their likes and dislikes.

Nate dislikes bullies. He never says as much, but his actions speak quite clearly.

All The Rest

The cast, as stated in the title and opening paragraph, is full of heavy hitters. Zane, who first came to my notice in the old 1989 film Dead Calm, is top of his “class.” *If you head over to YouTube or Prime, you can rent this masterpiece. A very young Nicole Kidman plays a brilliant part in the film playing opposite Sam Neill and Zane very well.*

Gershon is a top notch performer who kills whatever she is in. Matula came to my attention in the mockumentary television show UnReal. She too is top of her game.

Of course the presence of Bearse (Who kills it in the original Fright Night film and later in Married… with Children.) and Ratzenberger, he of Cheers fame, makes his smaller role a clear walk in the park.

Everyone in the film, from young Williams to the Tarwater clan and all the rest, bring their “A Game” to the fore. Tapawingo may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved it.

As shot by DP Jarrod Russell and edited by Rex M. Teese the film looks brilliant. It also looks like the older time period that Naranda mentions as his guiding light.

The Music

Before I go, let’s talk music. It is spot on. Composer Jacob Yoffee gives us an eclectic mix of styles and genres. From Shostakovich’s “Jazz Suite No. 2: VI. Waltz 2” to Quiet Riot’s “Cum on Feel the Noize” the score fits each scene perfectly. In terms of letting the music fit the film, this is a complete win.

The Verdict

Tapawingo is a solid 4.75 stars. It loses a quarter star for, admittedly to me, being a tad too like Napoleon Dynamite for comfort. *That said, I adored old “ND” and all who sailed on it. Historically speaking, this remains my favorite film ever recommended by my daughter.* Tapawingo dropped this week, the first week of December, on Prime where you can rent or purchase the film. I personally recommend this one, it is just this side of lowkey brilliant. You can thank me later.

The Trailer