This A-List Horror Flop Bombed in Theaters — Now It’s #1 on Max

I lived through the uncertainty of Y2K and have vivid memories of the ordeal. The anxiety was real. People were convinced that the sky was falling. Thankfully, the sky did not fall. But what if it actually did? That’s the question the #1 movie on Max today posits. Y2K imagines an alternate New Year’s Eve 1999 where instead of business as usual, technology revolted.

That sounds like such a promising premise. You get a bit of (ultra-late) ‘90s nostalgia and a major cultural milestone reimagined with dire consequences. Unfortunately, the execution of this period piece is lacking. Many critics called attention to the film’s tonal inconsistencies and said that a lot of the jokes don’t quite land.

Here’s a bit more context on the setup for this A24 Horror thriller on Max:

On the last night of 1999, two high school juniors crash a New Year’s Eve party, only to find themselves fighting for their lives when the terror of Y2K becomes a reality and all machines rise up against humanity.

Former SNL cast member Kyle Mooney helmed the picture and co-wrote the screenplay with music video director Evan Winter. Y2K marks Mooney’s feature film directorial debut. I like his goofy energy and wish the picture had congealed more effectively and resonated a bit more.

In addition to a less-than-enthusiastic response from critics, the flick also under-performed with moviegoers. The picture pulled in less than $5 million during its December 2024 box office run. With an estimated budget of $15 million (before marketing expenses, of course), it’s clear that the film didn’t meet anyone’s expectations.

If you are not deterred by the naysayers and want to experience this nostalgic trip down memory lane for yourself, head over to Max and give it a shot.

Speaking of nostalgic trips down memory lane, the flick features an enticing mixture of ‘90s pop culture royalty and familiar faces from today. As for the former, both Fred Durst and Alicia Silverstone appear.

The balance of the casting roster is filled out by Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, The Kid Laroi, Lachlan Watson, Daniel Zolghadri, Mason Gooding, Lauren Balone, and Eduardo Franco.

That just about concludes this broadcast, dear reader. Stay tuned to Dread Central in the near future for more timely updates from the streaming scene. If you’d like to keep tabs on my comings and goings via social media, you can find me on Threads as @FunWithHorror.

Tags: Kyle Mooney Y2K

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