Y2K (2024): Review and Summary
While “Y2K” may bug anyone born in the 1990s and before, it could be a fun film for those who only know the time through Tumblr aesthetics and unearned nostalgia.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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| Film Length | 1 Hour 31 Minutes |
| Release Date | December 6, 2024 |
| Advisory Rating | Rated R |
| Initially Available On/Via | Theatrical |
| Genre(s) | Action, Comedy, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, Young Adult |
| Distributor | A24 |
| Director | Kyle Mooney |
| Writer | Kyle Mooney, Evan Winter |
| Character Name | Actor |
| Eli | Jaeden Martell |
| Danny | Julian Dennison |
| Laura | Rachel Zegler |
| Garret | Kyle Mooney |
| Robin | Alicia Silverstone |
Plot Summary
Eli and his best friend Danny are on the lower end of the social hierarchy, but with New Year’s Eve coming and it being Y2K, there is a push for change. So, they go to a party where Eli’s crush, Laura, is supposed to be, and an effort is made to make 2000 different. However, with a virus hitting electronics, causing them to become sentient and try to take over the world, Eli’s pursuit of young love gets put on pause as people he knows begin to get murdered by RC Cars and more.
Character Descriptions
Eli
Eli exists somewhere between being a loser and nobody, but as one of the few nice guys in Laura’s orbit, they do have some semblance of a friendship—albeit mostly through AOL messenger—but there are plans in place for it to spill over into real life.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Arcadian.”
Danny
Danny is Eli’s best friend, also someone in a purgatory of popularity, but on New Year’s Eve, it seems he is more held back by Eli than anything else. This suggests that Danny, despite all he could be and does get made fun of, could be popular.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Deadpool 2.”
Laura
Laura is one of the most popular girls in school and definitely sought out to be any guy’s girlfriend. But she makes it clear she never wanted to be popular; it just happened. As Eli knows, Laura is actually a bit of a nerd, particularly due to her love of coding, which is even championed by the school, hence her getting to make the school’s website.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Shazam! The Fury of the Gods.”
Garrett
Garrett is a stoner who often works the counter at a local video rental shop. He smokes with Danny, becomes a supportive, older, weird dude toward Eli, and is the potential scene-stealer character of “Y2K.”
- The actor is also known for their role in “Never Goin’ Back.”
Robin
Robin is Eli’s mother, who is a bit eccentric.
- The actor is also known for their role in “King Cobra.”
Other Noteworthy Information
Where To Watch This:- Movie Contains: Cursing, Gore, Blood, Drinking, Drug Use
- The distributor is also known for “Talk To Me.”
Review
Our Rating (77/100): Mixed (Divisive)
Audience
I would say “Y2K” is more relevant to those who didn’t grow up in the 90s or were even alive but like the aesthetic and are aware of certain things that happened.
Highlights
The Sense Anyone May Die & How Worrisome That Becomes
What makes “Y2K” special is that when the robots rebel, it is made clear early on no one might be safe. This was a huge shock for us, considering one of the first kills of the movie and the fact others who felt notable ended up dying as well. With that, it makes you worry, especially as you grow attached to some characters, who might be played by some of your favorite actors, are they next?
This is a feeling we don’t get often since it seems the more a character is pushed or recognizable by their actor, the more safe they are. So, having it where we aren’t forced to suspend disbelief but forced to consider this person or that person may die? It gives you all the more reason to worry and even become fearful.
On The Fence
The Humor
“Y2K” can be a bit corny. It doesn’t tap into nostalgia to give you a sense of what the 90s were like for real, but mainly to poke fun at the looks and attitudes. Even when it comes to the sentient villain, it is more a comical view of what evil computers would become than anything to take seriously. With that, some may not find much of what “Y2K” offers comical and may even be rolling their eyes a bit.
There Is This Feeling It Should Have Been Something Bigger
While Alicia Silverstone, Fred Durst, and likely other 90s figures are in the movie, often it may feel like this should have been something bigger. I get that “Y2K” takes place in a small town, so expecting various people who were mainstays on TRL would be unrealistic. Still, it’s a comedy dedicated to the end of the 90s, and yet it feels like, as noted about the humor, it isn’t about how special the 90s were but sometimes the most superficial bits that could be easily recognized.
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