Reviews

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  ★★★★ review by Eli Hayes on Letterboxd

  Hoop-Tober, Film 1 of 31:

  Wow, I'm really, REALLY surprised to see all of the low-star reviews for this film on Letterboxd. It's probably one of the most confused and disappointed I've ever been in terms of having read some of the negative things written about this film. Tusk is a comedy... sure, it's a creepy comedy and it's incredibly disturbing (in more of a strange way than a purely disturbing sort of way), but it's waaay more comedic than it is horrifying. And that's exactly what I was expecting because it was apparent from the trailer. Yet I'm sort of frustrated with myself for even attempting to categorize this film, because its uncategorizable (that might not be a word, haha). Body horror? Horror comedy? Who cares... you know what it is? It's ORIGINAL! It's amazingly, brilliantly unique. I laughed from start to finish; I laughed before the film took its drastic turn about half-way though, and I laughed after (when it became infinitely more sinister). Sure, I'm willing to admit that the ending felt a bit rushed, but with a film that took itself as not-seriously as this one (really throwing in the made up words today), I didn't seem to mind the pacing issues. This film's job was to make me laugh, to make whisper "what the fuck" to myself at least a dozen times, and at that, it succeeded. It succeeded greatly. I think that this movie is destined to be a cult classic, and it might possibly even be my favorite Kevin Smith film. I had a great time with it, and I'm fairly certain that if you're willing to go full walrus, you will too.

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  ★★★★ review by Evan on Letterboxd

  One of the most bizarre films I've ever seen. It's very funny, twisted, and ridiculous; often all at the same time. I'm still not sure what I experienced, but I'm glad I did. I think so anyway? I will say that it's one of the best B movies I've ever seen.

  There's no one out there quite like Kevin Smith.

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  ★★★★ review by Ryan Francis on Letterboxd

  What the fuck was Kevin Smith's ganj laced with when he came up with this utterly crazy and disturbing shit. Better yet, what the hell is wrong with me for loving it?

  His latest film is another demented effort more along the lines of 2011's Red State than, say, his older films like Clerks or Chasing Amy. That Smith-humor is still there, but Tusk is a bizarrely different kind of effort.
  
  An unforgettable experience, that's for sure. Still having a difficult time deciding if that's a good or terrible thing in this instance.. But I have to say, I do enjoy seeing Smith branch out into different genres a bit. Aside from a few scenes that I started to feel as though they were running a bit too long, I thought it was really freakin' good and original; it's quite a fascinating watch overall.

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  ★★★½ review by Travis Lytle on Letterboxd

  Disturbing, dark, bizarre, and funny, Kevin Smith's "Tusk" is a mostly effective though not-quite-for-everyone horror film. A strange but thoroughly engaging mix of genre elements, the film veers from gags to seriousness to images that induce gagging. It is a weirdly compelling and compellingly weird piece of work that will leave some audience members scratching their heads and others cheering the fact that something so offbeat was even made in the first place.

  Smith's must-be-seen-to-be-believed horror/comedy/drama, revolves around Justin Long's podcaster who makes an ill-fated stop at Canadian man's estate. The man engages Long's character in storytelling, but a sinister plot is soon revealed. The narrative, a twisted mad scientist and serial killer tale, has enough dark corners to make horror fans happy, but its tone shifts are jarring. The fact that it is nearly impossible to know what to think of the story, however, does not take away from the film's bleak soul.

  The production is small scale, and the writing is more organic that Smith's typical stuff. There is enough of the token Smith wit and even some self-parody, but the film is a far cry from his New Jersey-based comedies of the last two decades. The film sticks mostly to its Canadian setting, and ranges from bright exteriors to shadowed interiors. The cast is strong and includes the one of the best uncredited roles in years.

  The less that is known about "Tusk" before seeing it the better, but it is an engrossing piece of horror. Reveling in an offbeat sense of humor, a charming cast, and an almost nauseating brand of horror, the film succeeds but will not find fans in every viewer. However,
  
  those with patience and a like-minded sense of amusement will find it all gruesomely fun.

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  ★★★★ review by Austin Gorski on Letterboxd

  "Nazi bitches, of course."

  Kevin Smith, you fat bastard. What the hell is this? You know what, I don't even care. Tusk is its own beast, literally defying any sort of genre placement. This sick and twisted "comedy" is just what we needed from Smith after his extremely dark and wicked Red State. This is probably the funniest movie of the year (sorry, 22 Jump Street) and it's also absolutely batshit insane. It's crazy, but it's also very messy and terribly paced, but the sheer weirdness of the film is what keeps it from falling apart. I can say I never thought I'd see a fight between a naked man and a walrus take place on film, but hell, that's what I got here.

  Speaking of which, I must say that Justin Long looks MUCH better as a walrus than he does as a human being.

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