Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
Inspired by a true story, an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converge in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.
Cocaine Bear earns its highest mark in Novelty — the premise is genuinely singular, blending absurdist black comedy with creature-feature horror in a way that is distinctly its own. The cinematography is competent and occasionally stylish, making good use of the forest setting. The plot is thin and episodic, functioning more as a delivery mechanism for set pieces than a coherent narrative. Acting is serviceable but uneven — Ray Liotta's final performance and Keri Russell do what they can, but many supporting characters are broadly cartoonish without earning laughs. The ending deflates rather than satisfying, squandering the gonzo energy built up through the middle.