Movie Review: ‘The End of Oak Street’ Is a Gonzo Good Time

David Robert Mitchell's latest film, 'The End of Oak Street,' is being hailed as a "gonzo good time" and a "bonkers blast," offering a unique blend of 1980s blockbuster spirit, horror, and outright silliness. The movie, set in the 1980s, transports a seemingly ordinary suburban family into a prehistoric world overrun by dinosaurs.

The film centers on the Platts, a family living in a San Fernando Valley-esque neighborhood. Denise (Anne Hathaway) and Greg (Ewan McGregor), along with their children Audrey (Maisy Stella) and Brian (Christian Convery), appear to be navigating the typical stresses of family life, including potential divorce and side jobs. However, their idyllic setting is shattered when their neighborhood is suddenly engulfed by a prehistoric jungle, complete with dinosaurs.

Mitchell, who previously directed the acclaimed horror film 'It Follows' and the ambitious 'Under the Silver Lake,' uses the familiar framework of a Spielberg-esque sci-fi cataclysm. Yet, instead of focusing solely on familial bonds, the film leans heavily into horror, absurdism, and comedic elements. The transition from suburbia to a prehistoric landscape is marked by mysterious signs like strange flowers and unusual droppings, before the full extent of the dinosaur invasion becomes apparent.

'The End of Oak Street' cleverly brings the "dino isle" directly into suburbia, allowing for encounters with primordial beasts across front porches and shag carpets. The review suggests that this approach inadvertently solves issues that have plagued other dinosaur films, offering a fresh take on the genre. The film is praised for its skillful execution and for being a fun, fast-paced thrill ride reminiscent of drive-in movies, encouraging viewers to experience its twists and turns without prior knowledge.