In retrospect, the fear of Y2K was a silly thing. For those who don’t remember/are too young, there was a mild public panic in 1999 that had people worried that computers would freak out all over the world on New Year’s Eve, leaving the world in a Mad Max-styled apocalypse. It didn’t end up happening… but what if it did? That question is answered in director Kyle Mooney’s coming horror comedy Y2K.
If you are of the Millennial generation, this Y2K the trailer probably feels like a nostalgia bomb, from the clothing styles, to the Chumbawumba soundtrack, to the blink-and-miss-it cameo by Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. It also looks like a fun mix of The 21st century classic Super bad (note: Jonah Hill is producer) and Stephen Kings Maximum gear ratio – featuring a group of teenagers who head out to a special party and find themselves dealing with a violent techno rebellion.
Jaeden Martell and Julian Dennison star as a couple of high school teenagers who sneak into a New Year’s party so Martell’s character can have the opportunity to talk to the girl he’s in love with (Rachel Zegler). However, things end up going awry at midnight, as computers everywhere become sentient and decide to rebel against humanity. Lachlan Watson, The Kid Laroi, Eduardo Franco, Mason Gooding, Tim Heidecker and 90s legend Alicia Silverstone all fellow players.
Most likely, Kyle knows Mooney since his time Saturday Night Liveas he was a cast member from season 39 (2013-2014) to Season 47 (2021–2022). In 2017, he co-wrote the script for the film Brigsby Bearbut Y2K marks his directorial debut (he also wrote the screenplay with collaborator Evan Winter). In addition to his behind-the-scenes duties on the film, he also plays a crusty stoner named Garrett in the film.
Besides offering what looks like a sweet coming-of-age story in the midst of a fun end-of-the-world scenario, it appears to be a significant part of Y2K movie experience will try to capture all the different 90s references. I have already referred to the use of “Tubthumper” and appearances by Fred Durst and Alicia Silverstonebut there’s also a killer Tamagotchi, weaponized devil sticks and an airborne bootleg VHS of Varsity Blues.
Y2K had its world premiere earlier this year at the South by Southwest Film Festival, but A24 will deliver the film to audiences across the country when it hits theaters on December 6 (arriving in the wake of a packed Thanksgiving weekend filled with titles including Gladiator II, Evil and Moana 2). To learn more about all the other titles that will be released both on the big screen and on streaming between now and New Year’s Eve, check out our Movie release calendar 2024.
