PopHorror Let's Get Scared
As soon as I saw the poster for Tone-Deaf, I knew it was something I would enjoy and want to see. I’m a fan of Richard Bates Jr.’s previous work; his films tend to be really f*cked up, which is always a big plus for me. I was also intrigued by the killer cast and unique thriller story, so I jumped at the chance to review it.
This film was written and directed by Richard Bates Jr. (Trash Fire, Suburban Gothic). The cast includes Robert Patrick (Scorpion, Terminator 2: Judgment Day), Amanda Crew (Silicon Valley, The Age of Adaline), Kim Delaney (Chicago Fire, NYPD Blue), AnnaLynne McCord (Fired Up!, 90210), Keisha Castle-Hughes (Game of Thrones, Whale Rider), Hayley Marie Norman (I Am the Night, Lonely and Horny), and Ray Wise (Fresh Off the Boat, Twin Peaks).
Synopsis for Tone-Deaf
After losing her job and imploding her latest dysfunctional relationship, Olive (Crew) flees the city for the weekend, escaping to the countryside for some peace and self-reflection. She rents an ornate country house from an eccentric widower named Harvey (Patrick).
Soon two generations collide with terrifying results as Olive awakens Harvey’s homicidal tendencies and is plunged into a blood-soaked fight for her life.
Tone-Deaf definitely delivered on all aspects for me. The story starts out pretty tame. A young woman is struggling to find her purpose after several failed relationships and jobs. She decides to seek out peace at an unfamiliar but charming place in the countryside. Everything seems peachy keen at first, but it quickly turns into a blood-soaked nightmare that makes you question ever leaving home again.
I’ve never seen another film depict millennials and baby boomers against each other so well. I thought Tone-Deaf was done beautifully with just the right mix of horror and comedy. As a millennial myself, I get really f*cking sick of baby boomers talking trash about our generation when I, along with many of my friends, work multiple jobs just to meet ends meet. Technology makes things easier and can be a bit of nuisance at times, but we’re not lazy. This was like a big fuck you to the extreme sides of both in the most hilarious way.
All of the performances were phenomenal. I think this is Amanda Crew’s best role to date. She really kicked ass with her character. I love her transformation to “poor me, my life is so horrible” to a full-on badass who would never let herself become a victim. You can never go wrong with Robert Patrick and this role suited him perfectly. Although I adore him, he’s always played creepy and sinister well. He was one of the best parts of 1998s Faculty.
This film does not hold back on the bloodshed and I wouldn’t expect anything less from Richard Bates Jr. as he’s not one to place it safe. He knows how to deliver a f*cked up story that hurts so good. There are some seriously cringe-worthy scenes that had me throwing my hands up in the air in horror, meanwhile my husband is staring at me like what the f*ck. Then, of course, I have to mouth the words, did you just see what happened? There were a couple of moments like that, and it takes a lot to make me squirm in my seat, but Tone-Deaf successfully made that happen.
Final Thoughts
As always, Richard Bates Jr. doesn’t disappoint and continues to lure his viewers into a f*cked-up story with scenes that will be forever permanently branded into your memory. Ouch! Saban Films is releasing Tone-Deaf in theaters and On Demand on August 23, 2019. This is by far one of my favorite films of 2019 and I can’t wait to add it to my collection.
Stay tuned for our interviews with Richard Bates Jr. and Amanda Crew!
