Y2K Deserved Better

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Initially, the Y2K project might have appeared as an unmissable venture. Led by a veteran from Saturday Night Live (Kyle Mooney) and featuring one of the most promising newcomers in the industry (Rachel Zegler), along with a strong dose of millennial nostalgia, it’s no surprise A24 chose to distribute it. Regrettably, the final product failed to meet expectations, earning just $4.4 million against a production budget of $15 million, and garnering 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. After a series of successful releases, A24 found itself with a box office disappointment.

Although the film didn’t resonate with viewers or critics during its initial cinema release, it has found a new lease on life on streaming platforms, consistently ranking high in Max’s top ten since its premiere. It’s quite fitting that Y2K, a movie that’s more enjoyable and entertaining than its average critical reviews might suggest, should find such success. Mooney’s first directorial effort appears to be heading towards becoming a future cult favorite.

‘Y2K’s Intriguing Tonal Blend

(The following contains spoilers for Y2K)

One of the main criticisms leveled against the movie Y2K centered on its eclectic blend of tone, merging a sincere millennial coming-of-age narrative with offbeat techno-horror elements. However, it’s this exact mix that contributes to the film’s endearing appeal in the beginning. Prior to all machines turning malevolent, the movie dedicates a good portion of time to following Eli (Jaeden Martell) and his buddy Danny (Julian Dennison), allowing viewers to cheer for these unlikely heroes as they navigate the tech apocalypse. Director Mooney takes his time building up the tension, and the relatively subdued opening act makes the film’s eventual wild twist all the more amusing.

Mooney intentionally crafts these characters in a way that makes the audience care about them, rather than treating them as mere targets for menacing robots. Establishing their personalities early on adds authentic emotion when one is lost and creates humorously unexpected moments when the narrative deviates from typical storylines. For instance, Farkas (Eduardo Franco) appears to be a bully character, but his demise comes not at the hands of a robot, but due to a misfortunate rollerblade stunt.

The idea behind Y2K might seem nonsensical, yet maintaining a mostly serious tone in the initial act enhances the absurdity. However, it may lose some coherence towards the end, particularly when Fred Durst starts to poke fun at himself. But by then, viewers who are in tune with its vibe are probably enjoying the ride.

‘Y2K’s Millennial Nostalgia

In Y2K, it’s apparent that Mooney is immersed in a personal dose of nostalgia from the turn of the 21st Century. This nostalgia for the tech revolution’s early days seems to be a driving force behind the movie. The film is brimming with symbols from the late ’90s, such as the initial scene displaying a computer screen filled with AIM chat windows, the meticulously depicted fashion trends, and the music-rich soundtrack. Yet, it doesn’t come across as a shallow attempt to attract the millennial audience.

The focus on intricate details from that era might have made it less appealing for younger viewers, yet it powerfully underscores the vast transformations experienced over the past 25 years. Notably, most of its principal actors were born after the turn of the millennium, making the depicted period seem remarkably remote despite the brief passage of time. The underwhelming reality of the Y2K bug is amusing to ponder now, but there was indeed a great deal of genuine apprehension about it at the time. The film skillfully captures that feeling of unease over what’s to come next. As AI technology continues its rapid advancement and increasingly permeates our daily lives, Y2K offers a historical context for the growing distrust towards technology we currently experience.

As a fan, I can’t help but appreciate how this film allows Mooney and the special effects team to truly unleash their creativity. The film’s ingenious use of practical effects serves as a nostalgic tribute to the horror flicks that shaped the minds of its creators. The ingeniously crafted machines, assembled from an eclectic mix of technology, household items, and toys, are nothing short of visually captivating. Mooney’s knack for finding darkly comical ways to eliminate his unlucky characters is nothing short of brilliant, as a child’s unfortunate encounter with a blender results in a hilariously gory sight gag that I just can’t get enough of.

In his stint at Saturday Night Live, Mooney shone with a unique brand of humor that was perhaps too eccentric for the average viewer but resonated deeply with a specific subset of comedy enthusiasts. Consequently, it’s not unexpected that Y2K didn’t gain traction in cinemas initially, but is gradually building its fanbase on streaming platforms. Here’s hoping that people who appreciate the quirky, whether they were born before or after the year 2000, continue to discover it for years down the line.

Stream on Max.

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2025-04-19 22:36