During the late 2010s, there was an interesting trend toward high-concept comedies that used outlandish premises to explore political or social issues.
These films, such as Swiss Army Man, Sorry to Bother You, and Colossal, are enjoyable for their unique stories and for how they actively reward paying attention. The deeper you dig, the more you find. Butt Boy continues this trend into the 2020s, as it runs with its admittedly strange concept, to tell a compellingly sinister tale of addiction.
Butt Boy is about a sad man named Chip, played by the writer/director Tyler Cornack. Chip is living an unfulfilled life, with a boring job and an unhappy marriage. During a routine colonoscopy, he discovers that he has fetish for putting things in his butt. As his urges become more extreme, he starts going to Alcoholics Anonymous, where he’s the sponsor for Detective Russell Fox (Tyler Rice). As Chip’s cravings turn sinister, both he and Fox engage in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse.
The title Butt Boy suggested to me a zany, fast-paced film. In reality, it is more of a slow-burn with a build-up to some rewardingly outlandish set-pieces. While watching the film took a bit of adjusting, the film doesn’t drag because of the well-executed payoff. The film is engaging because Cornack ties the weird story to genuine anxieties regarding addiction. The gradual development of Chip’s addiction feels real due to his escalation and how he tries hide his addiction, affecting his personal life. The way addiction is handled in the film grounds the story, making it relatable.
Performance-wise, Tyler Rice is the most fun in this film. He takes the grizzled-detective trope and hits it out of the park. His gruff demeanor and charisma are joyful to watch. It almost overshadows Tyler Cornack. While I understand the type of performance he was giving as Chip, I can’t say I find his performance worth watching, let alone be the focus of the film. Although I know Chip is supposed to be distant, almost ashamed of the life he’s living, Cornack came across to me as disengaged. He never made me want to follow Chip’s story. While there are scenes where Cornack did give a good performance, namely whenever Chip was being interrogated or struggling with his addiction, for most of the movie, Cornack looked bored. Thankfully, when the film shifts more to Tyler’s Rice’s perspective, the film becomes a lot more fun.
I guarantee that Butt Boy will be unlike any other film you watch this year. While it’s certainly not a perfect film, its unique story and excellent use of its themes more than make-up for its flaws. Weird movies like these are meant to be unearthed by friends at a bar looking for something strange to watch. This movie is sure to become a cult-favorite among many midnight screenings.
Butt Boy is currently available on Amazon Prime
