Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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While I don’t think anyone was asking for a “House Party” remake, you’ll be glad we got one.
| Director(s) | Calmatic |
| Screenplay By | Jamal Olori, Stephen Glover |
| Based On | House Party by Reginald Hudlin |
| Date Released (In Theaters) | January 13th, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Comedy, Romance, Young Adult |
| Duration | 110 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Rated R |
| Noted Cast | |
| Kevin | Jacob Latimore |
| Damon | Tosin Cole |
| Victor | DC Young Fly |
| Himself | Scott Mescudi |
| Himself | LeBron James |
| Venus | Karen Obilom |
| To Be Determined | Melvin Gregg |
This content contains pertinent spoilers. Also, images and text in this post may contain affiliate links which, if a purchase is made from those sites, we may earn money or products from the company.
Film Summary
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Kevin and Damon aren’t broke, but their cleaning job ain’t paying much, and both will be homeless if they don’t get a steady gig or make some major money soon. Then, to add to Kevin’s worries, he has a daughter and a terrible relationship with the child’s mom.
Hence, when Kevin and Damon learn they will be fired and their last job is cleaning LeBron James’ house, they take a risk. They invite regular people and celebrities and throw a house party to remember. But whether the worst that can happen is then getting arrested is hard to say as things go from dancing, some weed, and alcohol, to the Illuminati getting involved, a gang who Damon pissed off, and distractions that can take Kevin and Damon away from focusing on the party.
Things To Note
Why Is “House Party” Rated R?
- Dialog: cursing, elaborate and violent threats, and use of the N-word throughout
- Violence: Gory violence, blood, and ass whoopings
- Sexual Content: Beyond a naked man and scantily clad women, no
- Miscellaneous: drinking, drug use
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Did this film really imply LeBron James is part of the Illuminati?
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Kevin
With his parents selling the house soon, a daughter in pre-school, and an I.T. job lined up that he can’t start for weeks, money is tight for Kevin. Add in issues with his daughter’s mother, his job as a cleaner not paying much, and his music career not going anywhere? Kevin has a lot going on and nothing going on all at the same and possibly worse time.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Emmett Washington in “The Chi,” Dante Spivey in “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and Bo in “Sleight”
Damon
Already kicked out of his mother’s house and about to be kicked out of his aunt’s, Damon is on thin ice, but you could never tell by the way he lives his life. As a wannabe party promoter, he is out every night, trying to build up his followers, but more so building up the list of people who don’t want to mess with him because of his decisions.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Ryan Sinclair in “Doctor Who,” Medgar Evers in “Till” and Frank in “Burning Sands.”
Victor
Victor is Kevin’s go-to D.J., who has a drinking problem, and when he smokes, he seems to think he can time travel.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: A Unknown Role in Mario Van Peebles upcoming “Outlaw Posse,” Himself in “Wild ‘N Out” and Himself in “The 85 South Show.”
Scott Mescudi aka Kid Kudi
Kid Cudi is Damon’s favorite rapper and a bit of an odd and mysterious guy. One who is introverted, doesn’t like a whole lot of laughter but takes to Kevin and Damon.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Justin in Brittany Snow’s upcoming “September 17th,” Jabari in “Entergalatic” and Jackson in “X”
Lebron James
Lebron is Lebron. He is noted as the G.O.A.T. and very much unhappy that someone used his house for an unsanctioned party.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Himself in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” Gwangi in “Smallfoot” and Himself in “Trainwreck”
Venus
Venus is a college graduate who works the corporate side of Damon and Kevin’s job, and she is so good at it she is in line for a promotion. However, while her corporate job pays money, her passion is dance and while she does squeeze in some time for it, getting to do it professionally is the dream.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Brielle in the upcoming “The Wood,” Roni Evers in “Doom Patrol” and Bj in “Hello Cupid Reboot”
Melvin Gregg’s Character
One-third of the YTD Entertainment Group, Melvin Gregg’s character is known for elaborate and violent threats that sound like he watched too many horror movies and felt like they didn’t go far enough.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Shawn in The Upcoming Remake “The Wood,” Sean Skemes Hernandez in Aristotle Torres’ upcoming “Story Ave,” and Drew ‘Manboy’ Miller in “Snowfall”
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing) – Recommended
Notable Performances or Moments
The Elaborate Threats Of A Mad Man
I don’t know who wrote Melvin Gregg’s dialog, but I do know his execution leaves a lasting impression. While he doesn’t execute any of his over-the-top threats, just listening to him talk about torturing someone like they are playing a game of “Operation” and the visuals you get from how he talks to Kevin and Damon will make you think whoever came up with those lines are sick.
Kid Cudi
There is a certain mystique that Kid Cudi has built up over the years, and this film embellishes that to the point he pretty much steals the latter half of the movie. His antics, what he says and does, almost make you forget this film is about Kevin and Damon throwing a party to make money vs. surviving a night with kid Cudi.
Highlights
All The Cameos
If you grew up in the 90s or someone made you aware of 90s movies, shows, and music, the nostalgia will drown you. But, it isn’t in a cheap way. Whether it is the obvious appearances, like Kid n Play, to ones you may not expect, and we won’t spoil, you’ll get excited, find yourself laughing, and rarely does someone appear without delivering a one-liner that makes the screen time they take worth it. Even the more obscure cameos.
Everyone Is Hilarious
But it isn’t just the cameos but main cast. As to be expected, DC Young Fly is comical. Jacob Lattimore playing the straight man to Tosin Cole is an excellent combination, and their reactions to everyone they meet, may not leave you laughing to the point of coughing, but you will make audible sounds.
You Can Get Invested In The Personal Relationships And Drama
Naturally, “House Party” can’t just be about throwing an epic party and making money. There are reasons behind needing the party, complicated personal relationships and the pursuit of romance. As noted, both Kevin and Damon are facing being homeless, and Kevin being the father of toddler, and not close with her mother, is an issue.
But on top of that, Kevin and Damon might be friends, but Kevin seems to feel that he doesn’t get the benefits of being Damon’s friend consistently. Yes, he does try to help and advocate for Kevin to have fun and take opportunities as they come, but Damon lives a life of excess. He has good ideas but doesn’t leave well enough alone, and his execution can be off or not fully thought out. Hence, things getting stolen and broken at the LeBron party, the D.J. screws up the vibe, and more. All of which makes the anal Kevin clench as he adds up costs and considers jail time.
Of course, though, all personal drama isn’t bad. Damon is trying to romance R&B superstar Mya and Kevin? He is trying to woo the woman who got him his cleaning job, Venus. This is only a challenge for him since Damon clearly is bringing down his potential value, and with her having a degree, a potential career, no kids, and the kind of financial freedom that allows her to pursue dance for fun? The last thing she needs is a dude with baby momma drama, no job, and a record.
Which, yes, the combination sometimes can be a lot, but it allows you to see these aren’t just some characters thrown into a string of comical situations. They are people with personal and interpersonal issues, and desperation can lead to odd decisions and odd people to go with it.
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