SYFY doubles down on the scares and laughs with the nostalgically fun-spirited slasher, The Banana Splits Movie, starring Dani Kind and Romeo Carere. Affectionately spoofing The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, director Danishka Esterhazy delivers an entertaining comedy of schlocky horrors that doesn’t skimp out on the eye-popping gore.
It’s Harley (Finlay Wotjak-Hissong)’s birthday and his family celebrates with a fun-filled visit to a taping of the young boy’s favorite TV show, The Banana Splits. But things take an unexpected turn—and the body count quickly rises. Will Harley, his family and their new pals safely escape?
Here are 5 reasons why you should see The Banana Splits Movie:
5) Dani Kind!
As the loving but frustrated mother Beth, Dani Kind holds the narrative together as the emotional core. Devoted to her children, Beth (Kind) is slowly realizing she is trapped in a toxic relationship. Kind is amazing to watch as she starts out as a sweet, docile maternal figure to hardcore slayer.
4) Romeo Carere!
Romeo Carere does a great job as the slacker/dweeb Austin. Carere has natural chemistry with Naledi Majola as their characters, Austin and Paige, share an instant attraction. It’s a laugh-out-loud scene as Austin (Carere) awkwardly attempts to get Paige (Majola)’s phone number.
3) The Banana Splits!
As a kid, I always knew there was something weird about that Hanna-Barbera TV show! Fleegle, Bingo, and Droop (voiced Eric Bauza), along with Snorky, take a dark turn as they all go on a murderous rampage. Even the memorable pop song, “The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana),” takes a sinister twist as the animatronic killers attack their co-host on stage.
2) The Direction!
Writers Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas have impressively managed to squeeze in multiple subplots — from female empowerment to behind-the-scenes drama to a coming-of-age tale — into one cohesive narrative. As the inventive kill scenes top one after the other, director Danishka Esterhazy clearly has a genuine love for slasher flicks. In a memorable tribute to Christine, Mitch (Steve Lund) runs away from from one of the menacing Banana Buggies.
1) A Fun Slasher Flick!
An amusing horror/comedy, The Banana Splits Movie has tons of memorably bloody slasher sequences. The film works for nostalgic fans who have a fondness for the kids show and horror fans who love the gore.
The Banana Splits Movie premieres on SYFY on Saturday, October 12 at 9/8c. The movie also will make its world premiere screening at New York Comic Con Thursday, October 3rd (6:45-8:30PM, Javits Room 1A10).