Director Kyle Mooney transports audiences to 1999 with his debut feature film, “Y2K,” from A24. Mooney directs, takes on a supporting role, and collaboratively writes the script with Evan Winter. The film is set in a small town on New Year’s Eve 1999 and follows two unpopular friends, Eli (Jaeden Martell) and Danny (Julian Dennison), as they boldly decide to crash a high school party to connect with girls. Eli has been fixated on Laura (Rachel Zegler) for years, while Danny is ready to explore any romantic opportunity that comes his way.
While the usual cinematic high school hijinks occur at the party, things take a turn when the Y2K bug causes all technology to come to life and turn against humanity. Eli, Danny, and Laura set out with fellow partygoers CJ (Daniel Zolghadri), Ash (Lachlan Watson), and Farkas (Eduardo Franco) in hopes of finding whatever’s left of civilization.
Since graduating from high school in 2000, I have retained vivid memories of the considerable attention surrounding the Y2K phenomenon. At that time, I resided in El Paso, Texas, where I spent time with friends in the desert. Consequently, I approached the Y2K event with optimism and a nostalgic viewpoint.
Mooney opens the film effectively with Eli accessing the internet and logging onto AOL Messenger, where he engages in separate conversations with Danny and Laura. The group of press critics I attended with, all aged 35 and older, readily embraced the nostalgic elements, reminding us of AOL’s enjoyment during that era. I also enjoyed the emphasis on the genuine friendship between the characters Eli and Danny. Although neither actor was alive during the Y2K period, their performances evoked my high school peers’ memories. Furthermore, it was refreshing to witness Rachel Zegler depart from her previous roles in big-budget films and explore a juvenile comedy.
Sadly, it falls apart after the Y2K bug hits, and the film shifts its tone. While Kyle Mooney may have a background in comedy, the gore and horror elements he wants to give the movie just need to come together. While I laughed at some jokes, the kill scenes became repetitive. Furthermore, there are considerable errors in the film that I’m surprised no one caught.
The first involves a visible video cassette box of a movie that didn’t come out until 2002. The second involves a viral song that wasn’t released until 2000. While I get the joke the script was trying to set up, there were numerous songs he could’ve used and had the same effect. Additionally, the supporting cast all go through the motions, with the one saving grace being Fred Durst, who portrays himself, and the characters in the film call him by his full name, which garnered many chuckles.
While the potential was there, “Y2K” failed to bring it together with its uneven tone.
Final Grade: C-
“Y2K” opens in theaters this Thursday.
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