We Attended The Alamo Drafthouse ‘The Bad Batch’ Film Premier Event!
Writer/director Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night) debuted her new film Sunday at a truly eclectic event venue just outside of Austin, called Stunt Ranch. There was a lot to see and do including a Q & A with Amirpour, the film’s star Suki Waterhouse, and Alamo Drafthouse’s own Tim League hosting from a chair wearing pajama bottoms. He discussed his love for Amirpour while also apologizing for his attire and emotional state as he is in the middle of recovering from several broken ribs and other injuries from an accident.
In the spirit of “keeping Austin weird” the event was just more than your standard screening with a “Q and A” session as it also featured a vast pit barbecue, trapeze (yes you read that right), ax throwing, zip lining, jumping into a huge air filled cushion bag from 30 feet up, pictures in front of a flaming van, a pool, and even more. In true Alamo Drafthouse style the event was also simulcast to other theater venues across the US so movie goers who live outside of Austin could enjoy the wasteland film.
The film “The Bad Batch” stars Suki Waterhouse, as well as four other high profile, actors, Jason Mamoa (starring in Justice League as Aquaman), Keanu Reeves (John Wick), Giovanni Ribisi (Avatar) and as a total surprise Jim Carrey (Dumb and Dumber) who was in a role that made him barely recognizable. You have to wonder just how did this apocalyptic film featuring cannibalism, capture the attention and the participation from such well known actors into a genre film?
The story can be described as a high bred of “Escape from New York,” “The Hills Have Eyes,” and maybe even a bit of “Mad Max.” This wasteland tale takes place in the badlands of Texas, but think more golf cart rather than supped-up hot rod.
When people don’t conform they are tattooed with a number and the initials BB for “Bad Batch” and dropped off into a place that looks absolutely desolate. Waterhouse is captured within the first few minutes of the film and brought to a town called “The Bridge” where god awful things happen to her. You won’t be able to look away.
Meanwhile in another town not far from The Bridge is Comfort, where Reeves character, The Dream (that’s his name) has a harem of pregnant, automatic weapon carrying women, who act as his personal guards. He delivers a life inspiring speech about the dream… “We aren’t good. We are bad. We are the Bad Batch!” in typical Reeves style where the dialogue borders on corny but at the same time is exquisitely perfect. The town throws nightly raves featuring free acid tabs and pounding beats.
If this hasn’t sparked your interest then consider ten scantily clad muscle bound men lifting weights, an awesome acid trip featuring stunning images of the night sky, an adorable gray bunny, a human being butchered, and a resounding sound track that at times makes you want to stand up and dance.
At risk of spoiling it no more details will be provided except to say that “The Bad Batch” is absolutely riveting. Amirpour’s breathless and mesmerizing story-telling has made me a fan for life. Amid a summer of rehashed tales and massive marketing campaigns for super hero films, I recommend stepping into something different. “The Bad Batch” won’t disappoint genre film lovers.
I want to see it again.
The film opens June 23.
