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The horror comedy Y2K starring Rachel Zegler directed by former Saturday Night Live star Kyle Mooney arrives on digital streaming. Y2K opened in theaters December 8 telling the tale of two high school juniors as they navigate New Years Eve 1999 and face a digital disaster that they must solve while trying to stay alive. The new movie with A24 production Y2K marks Kyle Mooney’s directorial debut after long television career with SNL .
Rachel Zegler the upcoming star of Disney's Snow White portrays Laura as Jaeden Martel and Julian Dennison depict high school buddies Eli and Danny during the movie which is set on New Years Eve in the year 1999. Alicia Silverstone and Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst also have roles within Y2K. Former Saturday Night Live member Kyle Mooney directed this digital thriller produced by Jonah Hill giving the movie another SNL connection. The movie Y2K showcases strong cast dynamic and offers insight into end of millennium culture through comedy style horror lens.
According to the website When to Stream the Y2K film is expected to be made available via premium video on demand on Tuesday December 24. While typically a reputable source When to Stream did note that A24 the film's production company has not verified the release or digital release date of the film Y2K creating more questions around online presence. When to Stream did a thorough check in preparation to publication of the expected launch date with Y2K before publication and releasing for the benefit of online streaming audience.
Digital platforms such as Prime Video AppleTV and VUDU are expected to carry Y2K for online viewing when made available on the streaming market. Prime Video offers a Y2K pre-order option priced at $24.99. Prime Video provides an option to rent at $19.99 giving an affordable and varied pricing tier. When released officially it should be on all services.
The Numbers states that Y2K achieved $3.7 million in North American theaters before it starts to play in international markets and makes its digital release. Deadline reported that Y2K had a sub 15 million budget before advertising costs creating another variable in the mix regarding commercial appeal. The overall movie production budget plus advertising efforts highlight a strategy that seeks high online digital availability to mitigate underperformance in theaters at the North American locations.
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the Y2K movie a 46% “rotten” rating with only 83 collected reviews which highlights polarized reviews due to tone. Rotten Tomatoes also mentions mixed opinions on humor effectiveness with critics recognizing strong potential in certain areas but also a flawed tonal output overall from production in addition to overall pacing. The RT Popcornmeter gathered 250 plus audience ratings for a 51% “rotten” rating emphasizing a divide between film experts and casual viewers that mirrors the critics response from Rotten Tomatoes site .
Nick Schager from The Daily Beast wrote his personal review of Y2K critiquing the humor of the movie stating it is genuinely disastrous claiming the 90’s reference material failed to capitalize the actual impact of potential fear over technological impact at that time in history. Chicago Sun Times critic Richard Roeper commented about Y2K saying it is a slow moving visual like the early internet and not ultimately rewarding to audiences who spend time watching the movie highlighting long lag time before pay off comes through. Richard Roeper directly compared viewing the film experience to waiting for 90s dial-up internet creating direct connection with audience for the technical aspects of the film theme. Nick Schager similarly connected the narrative themes with a critique that highlights the movie's flaws.
Deadline Hollywood Daily critic Valerie Complex praised Y2K’s successful capturing a bygone era while creating a relevant message about modern day use of technology within the social context. Valerie Complex notes that even while being a comical experience, the Y2K film acts as a reflection tool allowing movie viewers to reevaluate their relations with technology plus with their peer relationships also. Valerie Complex is a strong voice within film circles offering insight as an influencer through Deadlines published materials.
The R rated movie Y2K is expected to be available via premium video on demand this December 24 providing many viewers with at-home access for this popular thriller and horror-comedy mash-up. The movie release is timed ideally with a high traffic streaming holiday time where viewers will use platforms extensively.