‘Come Play’ (review)

Produced by Andrew Rona, Alex Heineman
Based on Larry by Jacob Chase
Written and Directed by Jacob Chase
Starring Gillian Jacobs, John Gallagher Jr.,
Azhy Robertson, Winslow Fegley

Come Play is not much more than a mash-up of better horror films that feels like it was slapped together utilizing as many tropes as possible.

The film focuses on Oliver (Robertson), a young non-verbal autistic boy who struggles with his environment despite the best efforts of his parents, Sarah and Marty (Jacobs and Gallagher Jr.).

Oliver’s condition makes him an outcast at school.

At home he spends most of his time focused on smart phones, computers, television screens and various electronic devices.

It’s through this technology that he encounters Larry, a mysterious creature that appears first as a storybook and then in reality, who can only be seen through a device.

And Larry’s looking for a friend.

The film then sets off in one derivative plot point after another until it’s Oliver’s parents fighting Larry, who’s trying to get Oliver to join him in the digital realm.

If it sounds at all exciting, please don’t be misled.  It’s boring.

Nevertheless, performances are solid all around and the special effects are solid.  But that’s it.  There’s no tension.  No real scares.  But worst of all, it isn’t very much fun.

That being said the film’s coda is so laughably awful, it might be the only thing this film will be remembered for.

Come Play is in theaters, Digtal HD and On Demand