The Trouble with Barry

The Trouble with Barry is a hilarious dark-comedy film, ingrained with elements of horror, released in 2013. It is directed by Mike Justice and Stephen Kitaen and features a star-studded cast including Peter Stickles, Rena Riffel, and Eric Dean.

The plot revolves around the twisted, humorous, and audacious personality of Barry, played by Peter Stickles, a struggling actor and meek man riddled with various quirks and eccentricities. Barry is an amalgamation of everything that can possibly be wrong in a human being, yet he manages to stay an oddly loveable character. His life seems to be a perpetual accident waiting to happen. Somehow, he manages to encounter unfortunate and bizarre events in every walk of his life, with a knack for finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In one such spate of bad luck, he finds himself constantly crossing paths with his ex-girlfriends who, effectively, all seem to carry a death wish for him. This forms the basis of the film as these ex-girlfriends, or 'frenemies', position themselves as main antagonists in the story, planning horrifying plots against Barry. The film derives its elements of horror from Barry's encounters with these women who are out for revenge. However, despite their malicious intent, the film takes a comic turn as Barry's bumbling responses lend an element of hilarity to the frightening situations.

Peter Stickles does a remarkable job of breathing life into the character of Barry. His outstanding performance paints the character in different shades – sometimes vulnerable, sometimes foolhardy, but always sympathetic in his own quirky way. Stickles truly embodies his character, bringing chaotic comic relief with a side of understated horror to every scene.

Rena Riffel and Eric Dean beautifully complement Stickles' character. Riffel portrays one of Barry’s unhinged frenemies with a blend of calculated menace and off-beat wit, while Dean, as a mutual friend caught in the crossfire, is quick to bring an absurdity to the gravest of situations, providing a sense of balance to the otherwise eccentric plot.

The direction, costume design, and setting play pivotal roles in adding to the dark comedic theme, providing a vintage charm to the overall cinematic experience. Set in a small town, the film is filled with tropes of classic horror aesthetics with a comedic twist. From the houses to the cars and the clothes, every element is purposefully designed to reflect a unique dated setting, providing a solid backdrop for the wildly absurd events that unfold. While seemingly out of place, these facets end up becoming an essential part of the narrative, providing character to the absurd, comic encounters that Barry stumbles upon.

The Trouble with Barry is a gore fest, but it is presented so humorously that the horrifying elements don’t create a sense of fear, but rather curiosity about what else is in store for our unintentional protagonist. The film does an impeccable job of taking the horrific and turning it humorous, creating a genre of its own: horror-comedy, but with an eccentric twist.

While the plot may seem based on outrageous coincidences, it is the unpredictability of these circumstances that keep the audience glued to their seats. One cannot anticipate what mishap will strike Barry next which invokes a sense of eagerness and suspense as the movie progresses. Mixed with the perfectly timed comic moments, the film skillfully transitions between funny and horrifying sequences, thereby keeping viewers engaged throughout.

In conclusion, The Trouble with Barry provides an incredible twist to conventional horror films by blending them with doses of hearty laughter. The film successfully experiments with the blending of the bizarre, the horrifying, and the downright absurd, making it a must-watch for those looking for a different cinematic experience. It's an entertaining, fun-filled ride that serves up plentiful doses of laugh-out-loud moments, making it a memorable and unique watch. Refreshing, thrilling, and wickedly funny, The Trouble with Barry dares to push the envelope of traditional genre conventions, making for a uniquely thrilling and intelligent comedy-horror.