Cocaine Bear is a 2023 horror-comedy film directed by Elizabeth Banks and starring Ray Liotta, Matthew Rhys, and Keri Russell. The movie is loosely based on a true story of a 175-pound black bear in Georgia that ingested cocaine dropped by a drug smuggler from an airplane in 1985.
The film follows the journey of the bear as it goes on a rampage through the countryside after consuming the cocaine. Along the way, it encounters a variety of characters, including a local sheriff played by Liotta, a journalist played by Rhys, and a wildlife expert played by Russell. As the bear wreaks havoc, the characters must find a way to stop it before it causes any more damage.
The film has received mixed reviews from critics. Some have praised its self-awareness, humour, and bloody mayhem, while others have found it lacking in substance and momentum. The Guardian described it as a “larky horror comedy [that] is roaring good fun” with intermittent hedonistic highs. IGN called it a “guilty pleasure” with a “coked-up bear [that] is actually convincing enough to be scary when it tears apart everything in its path.” Meanwhile, Yahoo! News criticized the film for being “100% pure, uncut junk with no high.”
Despite the mixed reviews, there seems to be a consensus that Cocaine Bear is a fun and entertaining B-movie with potential. The film’s over-the-top premise and campy execution make it a perfect choice for fans of horror-comedies and creature features. If you’re looking for a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously and delivers on its promise of a coked-up bear wreaking havoc, then Cocaine Bear might just be the movie for you.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its basis in reality. The true story of the cocaine bear is a bizarre and fascinating one. In 1985, drug smuggler Andrew Thornton was flying over Georgia in a small plane loaded with cocaine. When he realized he was being followed by law enforcement, he panicked and threw several duffel bags of cocaine out of the plane. One of these bags landed in the woods and was later found by the bear. The bear consumed the cocaine and died of an overdose. The story became the stuff of legend and has been the subject of numerous articles, books, and even a podcast.
The filmmakers behind Cocaine Bear have taken this strange story and turned it into a wild and entertaining movie. While the film is not meant to be taken seriously, it does touch on some serious issues, such as drug addiction and the impact of human actions on wildlife. However, the film’s main goal is to entertain and shock audiences with its bizarre and bloody mayhem.
Overall, Cocaine Bear is a unique and entertaining film that is sure to appeal to fans of horror-comedies and creature features. While it may not be for everyone, those who are willing to embrace its over-the-top premise are sure to have a good time.
