Written and directed by Macon Blair, Idiots presents an entertaining but slightly disturbing film that offers commentary on the wealthy’s entitlement and the state of influencer media today. Though I often laughed and was genuinely surprised and appalled, Idiots definitely drives its points hard. It definitely comes across as a slap to the face of people who are clueless about the internet’s “Manosphere,” influencer culture, and the consequences of supporting and promoting toxic behavior.
O’Shea Jackson stars as Davis, a devoted Christian who always tries to do the right thing but is often too naive to make the right decisions. Dave Franco portrays Mark, a selfish idiot with some street smarts, but who still can’t make a good decision to save his own life. Both of these characters find themselves under the employment of a very suspicious company that transports troubled youth to rehabilitation facilities attempting to help them. On Mark’s first day, he is assigned to work with Davis. The two must transport a young man named Sheridan Kimberley (Mason Thames), a teen who gained some fame as a social media disruptor and prankster, to a special program for troubled youth. The two find themselves on a road trip to hell and back, as they discover that Sheridan is definitely a wild card.
This movie definitely entertains, but it also made me reflect on the state of our world, where crazy internet and social media content prevails. I did, though, enjoy Blair’s commentary on the wealthy, who often think that their money can buy themselves out of any havoc they can cause.
I absolutely love the cast. O’Shea Jackson is so good as Davis, as is Dave Franco as Mark. Both actors commit to their roles so well, and they’re also charming in their own ways. While one does hate and get frustrated with the decisions they make, it is hard not to empathize with where they are coming from. Mason Thames is so freaking good as Sheridan Kimberly. He is absolutely perfect as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The movie does go to some disturbing places, and its heart often gets overshadowed by these moments. This is a very R-rated movie that is not for everyone, but I enjoyed it very much. It isn’t necessarily exceptional in some of its beats, but it is more exceptional in the message it tries to convey