KIDS VS ALIENS is the newest film from writer/director Jason Eisener (V/H/S/2, The ABCs of Death, Hobo with a Shotgun). Jason Eisener has been keeping busy with the “Dark Side Of The Ring” television series and short films since his segment in V/H/S/2, “Slumber Party Alien Abduction”, in 2013. In fact, “Slumber Party Alien Abduction” functions as a bit of a template for KIDS VS ALIENS, while telling a different and much more expanded story.

KIDS VS ALIENS gives you precisely what the title promises. The parents in the film make one appearance and quickly go out of town leaving the kids on their own right around Halloween. The title promises you kids fighting aliens and that’s precisely what happens.

Here’s the synopsis: “All Gary wants is to make awesome home movies with his best buds. All his older sister Samantha wants is to hang with the cool kids. When their parents head out of town one Halloween weekend, an all-time rager of a teen house party turns to terror when aliens attack, forcing the siblings to band together to survive the night.”

The film stars Dominic Mariche (“See”, “Are You Afraid Of The Dark”) as Gary, Phoebe Rex (“The Last Divide”) as Samantha, Calem MacDonald (“Umbrella Academy“, Night Blooms) as Billy, Asher Grayson Percival (“Scaredy Cats) as Jack, and Ben Tector as Miles. The kids are good in their roles and have distinct and believable personalities. The main characters love to make their own films with wrestling stunts which come in handy when fighting aliens and are also believable in this media-obsessed day and age.

The film is co-written by Eisener and John Davies (Hobo With A Shotgun, Grindhouse) and comes in at a quick 75-minute running time. The cinematography looks really good and is done by Mat Barkley (Die Like A Dog).

I recently heard someone lamenting that no one makes fun films with kids fighting monsters as they did back in the 80s and 90s. What do I say in response to that lamentation? Watch KIDS VS ALIENS. It’s fun with cute kids who sometimes act like jerks but know the true value of friendship. The alien effects are practical and there’s lots of PG-13 goopy gore to keep everyone happy. This is another movie that you could enjoy with the family and not traumatize anyone too badly.

KIDS VS ALIENS is pure entertainment that hits you with the goods quickly and doesn’t overstay its welcome. For the people who complain that movies are too long? Here’s one that isn’t and it still tells a complete story. You’ll find thrills, comedy, and true friendship with a group of kids who fight back against a full-on alien invasion and it really works as a not-too-scary horror comedy.

KIDS VS ALIENS had its world premiere at this year’s Fantastic Fest. RLJE Films will release the film In Theaters, on Demand and Digital in early 2023 with a Shudder release to follow later in the year.

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Dolores Quintana

Dolores Quintana is an actor and writer living in Los Angeles. She has written for blogs as diverse as Buddyhead, Pocho.com, and The Theatre @ Boston Court. She works as an actor in independent film and both immersive and traditional theatre with Alone: an Existential Haunting, Screenshot Productions, and Native Voices at The Autry.

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