How come we act up a certain way to get the person we like to become our lover but once we become an item we sometimes become dumber than rocks? Bad Cupid sort of has an answer to that in a very comical way that leads to a repetitive formula with a dark and unique twist.

After being dumped in the most metaphorically-sci-fi-filled-references-yet-saddest way possible, Dave (Shane Nepveu) is still moping around one year later. While looking at his chances to move on, he enlists the help of his cousin, Morris (Briana Marin) to overcome his emotions. While Morris is a dark-and-twisted way to see things, she comes to hit the jackpot for guessing how love works: it’s handled by a middle-aged man in red Converse shoes. Dave has one request for this unusual cupid and that is to get what he believes to be the love of his life back but… at what cost? In this case, it involves kidnapping.

Bad Cupid has an early 2000s feeling to it with the story development of mid-2010s that makes it very likeable even when some of the dialogue, most of it being smarter than you think, becomes typical of a rom-com. The script is quirky and has a quick-response between the characters (mostly because of the amazing chemistry between the cast) that even the cheesy rapid-lines are a joy to hear. The only thing I find against it is the fact the characters remain static until it gets close to the end— nobody has a significant evolution but instead receive an evaluation of their values.

There isn’t anything fantastical about the photography of the film and it recognizes its lack of something new by adding this type of Lizzie McGuire-ish animations as transitions to replace scenes that could become explicit for a young audience, and these clips are all that and a big bag of chips. It’s unexpected for the dark comedy it develops. It’s very fast-paced which is good because it avoids dulling itself at any moment until it gets to the middle of the film with the longest scene ever— a restroom scene where most of the confrontation between the main characters happens. This must have been a challenge to keep entertaining due to the lack of dynamism and interaction with the elements of the environment but they managed as much creativity as possible with the script.

Bad Cupid is laugh-out-loud hilarious and smart. It’s very enjoyable in the unique way it handles things in a known population of romantic storylines. Even though the sea of rom-coms is vast, Bad Cupid could remain afloat as a future cult classic or fan favorite even if marketing doesn’t give it a chance with the right audience.

 

8 OUT OF 10 BAGELS

 

Bad Cupid
RATING: N/A
Bad Cupid TRAILER | 2021
Runtime: 81 Mins.
Directed By:
Written By:

About the Author

Brandon Henry was born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of the border of San Diego. His birthplace is the main reason nothing really scares him (kidding… it’s a very safe place). His love for horror films came when his parents accidentally took him to watch Scream, at the age of 6, thinking that it was a safe-choice because it starred “that girl from Friends”. At 12, he experienced the first of many paranormal events in his life. While he waits to be possessed by the spirit of a satanic mechanic, he works as a Safety Engineer and enjoys going to the theater, watching movies and falling asleep while reading a book. Follow him on Instagram @brndnhnry and on Twitter @brandon_henry.