Movies are more than just the sum of their parts. A well-crafted movie title can create a sense of anticipation and excitement in the audience. It can make them curious about what they are going to see and create buzz around the movie. In the case of the 2023 horror comedy, Cocaine Bear, the movie title did exactly that. It intrigued people and made them want to see the film.

The premise of Cocaine Bear is as wild as the title suggests. It is a story about a bear that ingests a significant amount of cocaine and goes on a rampage, hunting down anyone in its path. The movie caught major attention after airing a Super Bowl commercial, which generated a lot of buzz around the film. More recently, the movie was acknowledged at this year’s Academy Awards, where the Cocaine Bear stole the show with a bunch of visual jokes. The attention translated well to the box office, where the movie has grossed over $65.7 million in revenue.

The movie is directed by Elizabeth Banks, who is best known for directing the movie Pitch Perfect. This is her first movie in the horror genre. Cocaine Bear is based on the true story of a bear who consumed cocaine after smugglers dropped it over a Georgia forest. While the movie does show the bear going on a murderous rampage, the bear died shortly after from an overdose.

Cocaine Bear’s cast consists of some recognizable names in Hollywood. One of the more significant roles in the movie is played by Ray Liotta. Cocaine Bear was his last performer before passing away in May 2022. Other names attached to the movie include Kerri Russell and O’Shea Jackson Jr.

If you are wondering if Cocaine Bear is worth watching, here is an objective review of the movie. Spoilers ahead, so proceed with caution.

To start with, let us define what makes a movie good. While Oscar-winning performances and production value are important, a movie’s entertainment value cannot be understated. Cocaine Bear may not be great in terms of its cinematic value, but it is undoubtedly entertaining.

There are no spots in the movie that were underwhelming, and it was very well-paced. I can recall no point in the movie where I felt bored, and there was always something to pay attention to.

Unlike most horror movies of this era, Cocaine Bear attempts to develop its characters and make the audience care about them. As the movie progresses, you hope that your favorite character does not become the bear’s next victim.

In addition to its characters, the movie’s overall plot is unique and original. Multiple character storylines are interwoven, such as those of the two children, the smugglers, and the cop, all of whom find themselves being hunted in the forest.

As for the gore factor, the movie is not for the faint of heart. The on-screen deaths are some of the most graphic and brutal ones you will see in a movie. Some of them are too intense to describe, leaving the audience in shock.

When asked about the movie’s brutality, Freshman Jack First had this to say: “It caught me by surprise and put me in shock. Some of the deaths were so absurd that they were almost funny.”