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Parents' Guide to

Too Late

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Language, drinking in likable but timid horror comedy.

Movie NR 2021 80 minutes
Too Late Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

In TOO LATE, Violet Fields (Alyssa Limperis) dreams of becoming a comedian while working as a personal assistant to legendary comic and variety show host Bob Devore (Ron Lynch). It's a terrible job, requiring her to be on call at all hours of the day and night, and to put up with Bob's unpleasant personality. Even worse, he's a literal monster who requires human beings to eat every so often. Violet usually satisfies his sinister appetite by serving up sexual predators, etc. Then one day she meets kind, sweet comedian Johnny Rhodes (Will Weldon), and they hit it off. But when Bob starts showing an interest in Johnny's career, Violet must do whatever is necessary to protect him from either becoming Bob's next meal -- or becoming a monster just like him.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Perhaps a metaphor for showbiz backstabbing, this terror comedy creates a realistic stand-up comedy nightclub atmosphere but seems timid about going much further with either its jokes or its horror. Director D.W. Thomas casts several real comedians from all walks of life to populate the stage in Too Late, which creates an authenticity, as well as a lightness of tone. (Fred Armisen and Mary Lynn Rajskub, who are prominently featured in the publicity materials, appear only in tiny roles.) The movie seems smart and experienced about showbiz, which isn't as common as it may seem.

Best of all is Limperis as main character April; her appealing, fully committed performance anchors her scenes. On the other hand, the Bob Devore character never quite works. With his clownish mustache, he seems like an old-timey buffoon, a reject from vaudeville days rather than a legendary comic who would command respect from a younger generation. He also doesn't seem like much of a threat, especially when Thomas keeps most of the nasty stuff off-screen. The humor also feels a little muted, held back from its full, goofy, dark potential. Too Late is likable overall, but it's just too bad that it couldn't have really cut loose with its killer idea.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Too Late'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?

  • Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of scary movies? Why do people enjoy stories about monsters?

  • How are alcohol and drugs depicted in the movie? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences for their use? Why does that matter?

  • Can Violet be forgiven for sacrificing not-so-nice stand-up comics for Bob's meals -- and to help save her own life? Why, or why not?

  • What do you think it would be like to be a stand-up comic? Would it be fun? Scary? Difficult? Would you get to laugh a lot?

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