Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, salty would-be cult classic doesn't quite click.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Adventures of the Naked Umbrella
What's the Story?
In ADVENTURES OF THE NAKED UMBRELLA, Sam Wanoutsky (Jeremy Davies) is a conspiracy theorist podcaster and pyromaniac with three counts of arson on his record. One night near Christmas, Sam's home explodes into flame due to a gas stove being accidentally turned on. Fearing prison, he, along his wife, Irene (Taryn Manning), and their pet pig, Kevin, hit the road. Sam, Irene, and Kevin go to see Granny (Richard Riehle), who sells drugs, but Granny immediately throws them out. So they flee to the desert to spend the night. Sam's parole officer, Yolanda Johnson (Darnell Rhea), is convinced of his innocence and starts trying to find him. Meanwhile, Deputy Charlie Curtain (Bert Rotundo) visits Granny looking for Sam, but also with a secret agenda. Soon, Granny's house is on fire too, making Sam look doubly guilty. Can Sam clear his name and get back on the air?
Is It Any Good?
This amiable mishmash ultimately doesn't add up to much, despite its many moving parts. Perhaps an attempt at a John Waters-like oddity, this would-be cult flick is brimming with conspiracy theories, an alien, a disco truck, a fake pig, quirky Christmas songs, and a plaster "Salvation Mountain." Adventures of the Naked Umbrella benefits from some of its characters, starting with Davies' Sam. Davies is an unpredictable actor, but he somehow instills Sam with a sweet likability. While on his podcast, Sam is a wild man -- but in person, he's open-hearted, more than a little wounded, and hopeful and curious. His relationships with Yolanda and Irene feel unexpectedly genuine. (Yolanda insists that he never lies to her, and we sense that she's right.)
But it's hard to discern just what, if anything, Sam's journey really means. (Perhaps it's about faith, or time, or existence, or just ... nothing?) The rest of the movie's bells and whistles don't seem to contribute much, other than just being there and being weird. And there's a sour taste to some of the touches. But who knows? Perhaps Adventures of the Naked Umbrella is one of those movies that doesn't make sense now but will catch on with fans years later. Or maybe it won't.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Adventures of the Naked Umbrella's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What do you think the movie is about? What takeaways stuck with you the most?
What does the movie have to say about conspiracy theories and the spreading of misinformation?
How does the movie approach its character of faith, Irene? Does it seem respectful? Intrusive?
How are drinking, smoking, and drug use represented? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 10, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : November 10, 2023
- Cast : Jeremy Davies , Taryn Manning , Darnell Rhea
- Director : Gerald Brunskill
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Level 33 Entertainment
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 17, 2023
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