Attack of the Adult Babies (2017) Review

‘Attack of the Adult Babies’ is the third feature from Mitchell-Brunt Films; the Yorkshire based husband and wife, directing/writing team that brought us the acclaimed, Before Dawn (2013) and Bait (2014). Attack of the Adult Babies is unlike anything they have produced before and a bold contrast from their previous cinematic outings.

With a film like ‘Attack of the Adult Babies; it needs to be approached with plenty of self-awareness as what you see is exactly what you’re going to get. Expect the unexpected and enjoy the zany rollercoaster ride that’s in store!

Beginning with a bang and going straight in for the kill, Attack of the Adult Babies makes no apologies, kicking off the action immediately with its exploitation eccentricity. Instantaneously it is clear that this is world’s away from the norm and the tone is set for the next 80 minutes or so of pure, unadulterated madness.

A sudden home invasion sees teenagers Tim (Kurtis Lowe) and Kim (Mica Proctor) forced to break into a lavish stately home to steal some top-secret documentation. Unbeknown to them, the building harbours a group of the county’s most wealthy, power-hungry older men who happen to be nappy-clad as they indulge in their most perverted fantasies to escape the stresses of every day life! Serving them are a team of sexy nurses, sporting PVC outfits.

They are led by the crazed Margaret (Sally Dexter) and her hack-happy henchwoman, Clinton (Joanne Mitchell) who will go to any lengths to maintain order. The outsiders certainly encounter more than they could have bargained for as events take an unorthodox turn in the house of horrors!

With its influences evidently grounded in exploitation cinema with elements of grindhouse, sexploitation and even Japanese horror surrealness; Joanne Mitchell and Dominic Brunt are completely self-aware regarding the film they set out to make. It’s a complete satire and underneath all the kookiness there’s an undercurrent of social commentary which they have always implemented within their films. Attack of the Adult Babies is about greed and power, exposing the flaws of the figures that as a society we’re meant to trust and value.

The pig aspect may be a tongue in cheek reference to the infamous David Cameron scandal while at the same time paying homage to the likes of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ (1974) or ‘Motel Hell’ (1980). Comparisons have also been drawn to Brian Yuzna’s ‘Society’ which is not far off the mark considering both films bask in the grotesque while making a social commentary in the most overt, bizarre ways. These overtones do provide the film with some weight however that doesn’t divert from it ultimately being an unapologetic, goreifying audience crowd-pleaser.

There is a similarity in tone to Inbred (2011) which featured Dominic Brunt as chainsaw-wielding maniac, Podge. Both films incorporate a darkly comedic brand of British humour and throw in all the bodily fluids imaginable with some ingeniously detailed practical effects. Much of the humour from ‘Attack of the Adult Babies’ is derived from Paul Shrimpton’s style of comedy; the screenwriter also penned ‘Inbred’; therefore, it’s no surprise that it feels evocative of the 2011, hillbilly splatterfest. Seamus O’Neill of course starred in both while director Alex Chandon provided the visual effects for the Brain Trip sequence in ‘Attack of the Adult Babies’ with all other VFX on display done by the amazing Neale Myers.

As well as buckets of blood and stomach-churning excrement on display, Lee Hardcastle presents some brilliantly crafted stop-motion animation which elevates the film to the next bizarre level. The film’s pacing is on point, while it quickly establishes itself at the beginning to allow the audience a glimpse of the insanity that is set to unfold, once it gets going, it manages a fast and fun consistency that will keep viewers engaged.

The film may be criticized for its ‘toilet humour’; however, Attack of the Adult Babies does avoid being disgustingly gratuitous for the most part, therefore when those moments do hit, its more effectively gross-out.

Joanne Mitchell and Sally Dexter are a delight on screen and appear to relish in their performances as their incredibly warped characters. There’s an interesting juxtaposition between the inhabitants of the manor and the main players, with the protagonists playing it straight as they’re faced with outlandish situations.

Attack of the Adult Babies is nappy-changing, milk-gurgling midnight movie gold that would work well in an audience context, as it’s such a reactive movie experience. It’s certainly niche and won’t appeal to everyone, having already attained a mixed response. It’s unconventional weirdness and unapologetically chooses to be exactly what it wants to be, which is daring and for that, it needs to be applauded.

Joanne Mitchell and Dominic Brunt have proved themselves to be exceedingly versatile filmmakers; therefore, it will be interesting to see the kind of film they plan to tackle next.

Attack of the Adult Babies splatters on to DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download courtesy of Nucleus Films on June the 18th 2018. Read our interview with Joanne Mitchell HERE

Movie Rating:  

Trailer: