"Mr. Crocket" - movie review

Elvis Nolasco marvels as the creepy and unforgettable Mr. Crocket in Hulu’s latest horror sensation. (Fantastic Fest)

Hulu continues its trend of turning shorts into full-length features with Brandon Espy’s fantasy horror Mr. Crocket. Based on the short of the same name, the film revolves around a mysterious tape featuring a children’s program called Mr. Crocket. This African American version of a deranged Mr. Rogers or Captain Kangaroo tells a grim and unsettling story of abandonment, echoing themes that resonate deeply with Black mothers everywhere. Like many films making their world premiere at Fantastic Fest, it tackles real-life issues through a horror lens. Elvis Nolasco delivers a standout performance as Mr. Crocket, channeling a mix of grace and menace that evokes David Bowie’s Labyrinth. He shares the screen with rising star Ayden Gavin, who plays a major role in the film. While Mr. Crocket embraces nostalgia and delivers plenty of creepiness, it occasionally feels a bit too restrained, making its core story all the more unnerving.

The film also addresses a persistent, unspoken sentiment in America—that people of color are somehow unsuited for parenthood. Despite growing up in disadvantaged, drug-riddled environments, Black men and women have long been expected to be flawless parents, no matter the hardships they’ve faced. This hypocrisy still lingers today. Espy and co-writer Carl Reid transport us to a time when single-parent Black households were on the rise. Films like Boyz n the Hood and others depicted this reality, but Mr. Crocket delves into the imaginative fears often explored in films like Stand By Me. These fears existed for all kids, regardless of background, and Mr. Crocket offers a more authentic portrayal of how low-income families “watched the TV glow.”

Mr. Crocket is an overdue dark fairy tale that appeals to a segment of horror fans often overlooked. Espy and Reid’s love for the genre shines through, and Elvis Nolasco’s performance should place him among the top horror villains of the year, right alongside Nicolas Cage.

While Mr. Crocket speaks to our horror-loving hearts, it also leaves us wanting more. There’s immense potential for this franchise, but it feels like the film is torn between staying contained and expanding further. The rushed and open-ended conclusion amplifies this feeling. Still, it’s a solid addition to Hulu’s Huluween lineup and boasts impressive effects and designs that would make for a killer Halloween costume. Watch it on Hulu and decide if Mr. Crocket is the friend you never had.

Rating: 3/5

Mr. Crocket

Directed by Brandon Espy and written by Carl Reid

Starring: Jerrika Hinton, Elvis Nolasco, Ayden Gavin, Kristolyn Lloyd, and Alex Akpobome