Revision as of 11:43, 5 January 2025 edit1Tytonidae1 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users632 edits added image of theatrical poster← Previous edit | Revision as of 12:23, 5 January 2025 edit undoFrost (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Page movers, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers54,879 editsm hatnoteTag: Disambiguation links addedNext edit → | ||
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{{for|other films of the same name|Rat (disambiguation)}} | |||
{{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| image = RATS!_(film)_theatrical_release_poster.png | | image = RATS!_(film)_theatrical_release_poster.png | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| name = |
| name = Rats! | ||
| director = Maxwell Nalevansky<br />Carl Fry | | director = Maxwell Nalevansky<br />Carl Fry | ||
| producer = Maxwell Nalevansky<br />Carl Fry<br />Adam Levin<br />Alison Moses<br />Harrison Nalevansky<br />Danielle Evon Ploeger<br />Ariel Ash | | producer = Maxwell Nalevansky<br />Carl Fry<br />Adam Levin<br />Alison Moses<br />Harrison Nalevansky<br />Danielle Evon Ploeger<br />Ariel Ash | ||
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| runtime = 85 minutes | | runtime = 85 minutes | ||
}} | }} | ||
''''' |
'''''Rats!''''' (stylized in all caps) is a 2024 American independent comedy film written and directed by Maxwell Nalevansky and Carl Fry. The film is set in the fictional town of Pfresno, ] in the year 2007 and follows Raphael, who, after being arrested by an overzealous police officer, gets caught up in a chaotic world of drug kingpins, ecoterrorists, mallrats, and rappers. The film blends ] with ], highlighting the disorder of small-town life and youth ] in 2000s Texas.<ref name="screendaily">{{cite news | ||
|last=Kay | |last=Kay | ||
|first=Jeremy | |first=Jeremy | ||
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|work=] | |work=] | ||
|date=May 3, 2024 | |date=May 3, 2024 | ||
|access-date=January 5, 2025 | |||
}}</ref> The film received the bronze audience award for Best International Feature at the 2024 ].<ref name="screendaily-bookworm">{{cite news | |||
|last=Kay | |||
|first=Jeremy | |||
|title=‘Bookworm’ wins 2024 Fantasia audience award for best international film (exclusive) | |||
|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/bookworm-wins-2024-fantasia-audience-award-for-best-international-film-exclusive/5196039.article | |||
|work=Screen Daily | |||
|date=August 6, 2024 | |||
|access-date=January 5, 2025 | |access-date=January 5, 2025 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
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== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
* Danielle Evon Ploeger as |
* Danielle Evon Ploeger as Officer Williams | ||
* Luke Wilcox as |
* Luke Wilcox as Raphael Tinski | ||
* Darius Autry as |
* Darius Autry as Mateo | ||
* Khali Sykes as |
* Khali Sykes as Bernadette | ||
* Ariel Ash as |
* Ariel Ash as Shay Burrata | ||
* Jacob Wysocki as |
* Jacob Wysocki as Billy | ||
* Pineapple Tangoroa as |
* Pineapple Tangoroa as Panda | ||
== Production == | == Production == | ||
'' |
''Rats!'' was shot in ], a town located near ], where co-writer and co-director Carl Fry has lived for the past decade. The story was brought to life in just 16 days with a cast and crew largely based in Austin.<ref name="screenanarchy">{{cite news | ||
|last=Hurtado | |last=Hurtado | ||
|first=Josh | |first=Josh | ||
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==Release and reception== | ==Release and reception== | ||
=== Festivals === | === Festivals === | ||
'' |
''Rats!'' was selected to screen at the following film festivals: | ||
* 2023 Cucalorus Film Festival | * 2023 Cucalorus Film Festival | ||
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=== Critical response === | === Critical response === | ||
Rats! has received praise for its offbeat and outrageous humor, '']'' stating that '' |
Rats! has received praise for its offbeat and outrageous humor, '']'' stating that ''Rats!'' was “repulsive and crude, but it’s also full of heart.”<ref name="dreadcentral">{{cite news | ||
|last=McAndrews | |last=McAndrews | ||
|first=Mary Beth | |first=Mary Beth | ||
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] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | ] |
Revision as of 12:23, 5 January 2025
For other films of the same name, see Rat (disambiguation). American filmRats! (stylized in all caps) is a 2024 American independent comedy film written and directed by Maxwell Nalevansky and Carl Fry. The film is set in the fictional town of Pfresno, Texas in the year 2007 and follows Raphael, who, after being arrested by an overzealous police officer, gets caught up in a chaotic world of drug kingpins, ecoterrorists, mallrats, and rappers. The film blends gross-out humor with social commentary, highlighting the disorder of small-town life and youth counterculture in 2000s Texas. The film received the bronze audience award for Best International Feature at the 2024 Fantasia Film Festival.
Plot
Raphael, a young man from Pfresno, Texas, is arrested by the unhinged Officer Williams for graffiti. After his release from jail, he becomes entangled in a mission targeting his cousin Mateo, suspected of possessing nuclear weapons. Raphael's confession to Mateo uncovers a personal vendetta Officer Williams has against him from high school, complicating the situation further.
Cast
- Danielle Evon Ploeger as Officer Williams
- Luke Wilcox as Raphael Tinski
- Darius Autry as Mateo
- Khali Sykes as Bernadette
- Ariel Ash as Shay Burrata
- Jacob Wysocki as Billy
- Pineapple Tangoroa as Panda
Production
Rats! was shot in Pflugerville, Texas, a town located near Austin, where co-writer and co-director Carl Fry has lived for the past decade. The story was brought to life in just 16 days with a cast and crew largely based in Austin. The film draws inspiration from the anarchic energy of the Austin 1990s DIY film scene.
Release and reception
Festivals
Rats! was selected to screen at the following film festivals:
- 2023 Cucalorus Film Festival
- 2024 Fantasia Film Festival
- 2024 Calgary Underground Film Festival
- 2024 New/Next Film Festival
- 2024 Tallahassee Film Festival
- 2024 Seattle International Film Festival
- 2024 Florida Film Festival
- 2024 Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival
- 2024 Splat! Film Festival
- 2024 Indy Film Fest
- 2024 New Hampshire Film Festival
- 2024 Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival
Critical response
Rats! has received praise for its offbeat and outrageous humor, Dread Central stating that Rats! was “repulsive and crude, but it’s also full of heart.” The Houston Chronicle remarks that the film’s raw, no-holds-barred approach “boasts a level of exaggerated bad taste that John Waters might admire.” The Gauntlet praised the film's tribute to indie cinema, stating that it “serves as a testament to the personal allure of independent cinema,” showcasing the unique draw of low-budget filmmaking.
References
- Kay, Jeremy (May 3, 2024). "Yellow Veil Pictures to launch Cannes sales on stoner comedy 'RATS!' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- Kay, Jeremy (August 6, 2024). "'Bookworm' wins 2024 Fantasia audience award for best international film (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- Hurtado, Josh (July 30, 2024). "Fantasia 2024 Review: RATS! A Blast Of Hilarious Punk Energy From Small Town Texas". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- "RATS!". Filmink. August 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- McAndrews, Mary Beth (August 5, 2024). "'Rats!' Is A Heart-Felt, Gross-Out Comedy For Kids of The Early 2000s [Fantasia 2024 Review]". Dread Central. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- Vognar, Chris (November 10, 2024). "Texas director creates the gross-out comedy hit out of Austin suburb with 'Rats!'". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- Amir, Nimra (April 25, 2024). "CUFF 2024: Rats! Review". The Gauntlet. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
External links
- RATS! at IMDb
- Rats! at Letterboxd