52 reviews
Having seen "Excision" and "Trash Fire", I was expecting another oddball horror from Richard Bates Jr. & so far his debut remains his best. Nevertheless, "Tone-Deaf" is a fun albeit forgettable expierence.
The main selling point for me was Robert Patrick (as I'm sure it's for the lot of you) & the pretty decent trailer, and I have to say that I'm slightly disappointed. Mr. Patrick was awesome, of course, but most of the characters, the story & the whole point of it wasn't too great. An old-head hating on millenials and taking action is an old but fun concept & "Tone-Deaf" didn't give it a new spin really. Few of the 'millennial' characters were lame, unsympathetic and annoying, but that could've been the point... However, it's not much of an excuse for the main character being the same kind, didn't really feel for the protagonist this time. The plot is also predictable enough and doesn't go to unexpected and surprising places. Despite the wobbly characters, acting was fine or better. To sum it up, it's all a bit wonky regarding the script. Visual style, cinematography and fx were of no bother, well done, thumbs up. The soundtrack was colorful, with a few songs that can only be associated with millenials, but hey, it's the whole theme of the flick. That and too much other things. Also, while it is technically a comedy, I can't recall any funny moments really.
What I say may make it sound less than a 6/10, but overall "Tone-Deaf" is fast moving, keeps you entertained & has Robert Patrick as the antagonist - that's certainly enough for warranting a watch from anyone who enjoys watching indie horror flicks.
The main selling point for me was Robert Patrick (as I'm sure it's for the lot of you) & the pretty decent trailer, and I have to say that I'm slightly disappointed. Mr. Patrick was awesome, of course, but most of the characters, the story & the whole point of it wasn't too great. An old-head hating on millenials and taking action is an old but fun concept & "Tone-Deaf" didn't give it a new spin really. Few of the 'millennial' characters were lame, unsympathetic and annoying, but that could've been the point... However, it's not much of an excuse for the main character being the same kind, didn't really feel for the protagonist this time. The plot is also predictable enough and doesn't go to unexpected and surprising places. Despite the wobbly characters, acting was fine or better. To sum it up, it's all a bit wonky regarding the script. Visual style, cinematography and fx were of no bother, well done, thumbs up. The soundtrack was colorful, with a few songs that can only be associated with millenials, but hey, it's the whole theme of the flick. That and too much other things. Also, while it is technically a comedy, I can't recall any funny moments really.
What I say may make it sound less than a 6/10, but overall "Tone-Deaf" is fast moving, keeps you entertained & has Robert Patrick as the antagonist - that's certainly enough for warranting a watch from anyone who enjoys watching indie horror flicks.
- TwistedContent
- Aug 23, 2019
- Permalink
Weird script, weirdly executed, with chuckle/cringe-worthy generational shots fired throughout the film. The story execution did achieve in keeping my attention throughout, however the disillusionment in what could have been a way better film is well established half-way.
All-in-all, prioritize viewing other films you might have missed in your life, but give this a go if you want some "wtf were they thinking" moments.
All-in-all, prioritize viewing other films you might have missed in your life, but give this a go if you want some "wtf were they thinking" moments.
- ok-patrick
- Aug 23, 2019
- Permalink
First off, this film is classified as a horror comedy, but the only real comedy comes in the form of a few awkward moments and a couple attempts of 4th wall breaking humor of Millennials and Boomers taking some cringeworthy jabs at each other (which are not funny at all and seriously bring it down a whole point by themselves).
To keep this review short and to the point, any positives that I have to say about this film goes to the production and acting. There is some nice cinematic shots, good sound design, and solid effects. The acting is slightly above average but there will be no award nominations coming their way for this movie.
The story on the other hand, is a mixed bag of mediocrity. It is all over the place and changes tone several times during the film. At some points it tries to be a serious thriller. At other points it is a light-hearted dramedy. Yet at other times it's an arthouse parody that really makes little sense.
Overall the movie is weird and doesn't seem to have a good sense of itself. There are a couple good scenes and there is some decent production to it, but the majority of it is a just a nonsensical mess that's just not very entertaining. Not a film that you're going to want to watch twice and very forgettable. 4/10
To keep this review short and to the point, any positives that I have to say about this film goes to the production and acting. There is some nice cinematic shots, good sound design, and solid effects. The acting is slightly above average but there will be no award nominations coming their way for this movie.
The story on the other hand, is a mixed bag of mediocrity. It is all over the place and changes tone several times during the film. At some points it tries to be a serious thriller. At other points it is a light-hearted dramedy. Yet at other times it's an arthouse parody that really makes little sense.
Overall the movie is weird and doesn't seem to have a good sense of itself. There are a couple good scenes and there is some decent production to it, but the majority of it is a just a nonsensical mess that's just not very entertaining. Not a film that you're going to want to watch twice and very forgettable. 4/10
- mikedegroot
- Aug 23, 2019
- Permalink
- Fella_shibby
- Aug 23, 2019
- Permalink
This film was boring, incoherent, and an utter drag. It's difficult to sit through because it's just so incredibly uneventful. Robert Patrick plays a good enough psycho with some major mental health issues but we don't really understand what his deal is. The most interesting scenes of the film are the hallucinations and dream sequences...which don't make sense AT ALL but are the most visually stimulating parts of the film. As a main character, I felt that Amanda Crew, was under-used in the film. She didn't seem as important as she should have been, which is a disappointment because the film is about her. Tone-Deaf has a great premise but it was poorly executed.
- MinistryofDoom
- Oct 2, 2019
- Permalink
This is one of the worst movies I've seen in a while. It's obviously targeted at Millennials, which I am, but it's also obviously targeted at stupid people who need to be told directly and plainly the movie's message and the character's motivation. Full of exposition, lazy storytelling, and unlikable characters. Not far into the movie I was hoping the main character was going to die. I thought they were making characters unlikable on purpose so they could kill then off, but no.
I went into it expecting a silly, fun flick but it was just terrible. I felt insulted that that was the level the movie makers thought they needed to communicate to me and my generation on.
I went into it expecting a silly, fun flick but it was just terrible. I felt insulted that that was the level the movie makers thought they needed to communicate to me and my generation on.
- danielle-vizard
- Aug 31, 2019
- Permalink
This...is NOT high art. But it's fun. Robert Patrick really made this movie for me, breaking the 4th wall about Millenials. I'm sure if I really studied this as a metaphor I'd find something to be offended about. Since I see it as great cinema I'm not going to narrow the view on it. Great movie.
- goatrope67
- Jan 14, 2020
- Permalink
If you don't like cheese movies
If you don't like predictability
If you dont like bad comedy attempts
dont watch this
If you have an open mind If you enjoy B class acting If you have time to kill and want to watch something with no thinking required
Watch this
5.6
dont watch this
If you have an open mind If you enjoy B class acting If you have time to kill and want to watch something with no thinking required
Watch this
5.6
- natcalgary
- Aug 31, 2019
- Permalink
Obviously millennials are not too impressed at the way they are represented in this movie - which is spot on.
This is a tongue-in-cheek kind of movie not to be taken too seriously.
I found it great to watch - although perhaps I am of a certain age to appreciate the irony.
The acting and production - as well as the story - are well done and something different from the usual vacuous horror/comedy designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator.
This is a tongue-in-cheek kind of movie not to be taken too seriously.
I found it great to watch - although perhaps I am of a certain age to appreciate the irony.
The acting and production - as well as the story - are well done and something different from the usual vacuous horror/comedy designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator.
OMG I cannot begin to explain the faults with this film. But I will.....The random white room, blue men / women cut scenes make no sense. The acting is OK but the story so floored that you keep asking yourself 'Why would you do that?' The main character is a miss-match of all that is wrong with this generation, while the killer is so unbelievably unbelievable he is a joke. The ending was predicable with a few two star laughs thrown in. Avoid.
- psteve-60521
- Aug 27, 2019
- Permalink
This film is a great satire film. Entertaining and Funny with some fantastic shots and a lovely colour pallet. Definitely a comedy for left leaning horror fans with obvious social commentary, poking fun at both millennials and boomers. Not for everyone but really liked it!
- narkthirteen
- Jan 4, 2021
- Permalink
- nogodnomasters
- Sep 1, 2019
- Permalink
Some sort of generational war thing. Old man hates millennials but likes to kill people for no reason.
Young lady likes cities and hates stuff. Mum is a child of the sixties. Once you get past that there's nothing else to this film.
Young lady likes cities and hates stuff. Mum is a child of the sixties. Once you get past that there's nothing else to this film.
- richardwworkman
- Mar 2, 2022
- Permalink
I see from the description that this is billed as a comedy horror. I did not pick up on that at all while watching. The comedy absolutely did not land. I thought it was just a weird, bad movie, with weird and unlikable characters. I'm really blown away. I understand the whole piano thing now; i guess they were trying to be funny.
Skip this. Wait for this cast to be in something else!
- leesimon-26357
- Feb 10, 2021
- Permalink
The attempts from the director to make Harvey interact with the viewers make this movie long and boring .
Characters are not likeable. After 15 minutes you just want to make it stop and take your money and time back.
- inadapatrick
- Sep 20, 2019
- Permalink
Keep your expectations low with this one and you will enjoy the movie. I really like Robert Patrick acting here. His character makes this movie interesting and the talks to the camera are the best. Amanda Crew does a great job too.
Overall a good movie, not a great, to spend 85 minutes. Recommend only for Horror/B-movies fans.
- danielcereto
- Sep 7, 2019
- Permalink
Films are different from one another. They are targeted for various audiences and of course, different moods. There may be some movies that everyone enjoys, but if you are someone like me, the time you watch the movie and the mood you are in at that moment has a huge impact on your movie selection.
The movie genre gives you a hint of what to expect. But if you think that it should be 100% accurate, then you are a fool. And also movies don't just stick to dear old standard genres anymore. You can watch the trailer and the poster to judge if the movie for your taste.
And also not all the movies are meant to be a huge article of art that is worthy of awards. Some are just for a chill evening. Watch them onetime and forget about it in the next day.
What I'm getting at is; most of the comments with low ratings that I saw for this movie are because either their inability to choose the right movie for their taste, or being too dependent on the genres. Or they might have mistaken the movie's targeted entertainment if you know what I mean.
This is actually an enjoyable movie. I certainly did. Sure they were not that successful with breaking the fourth wall. But a fun movie. I wasn't looking for a movie with a great plot or a serious piece of art. I wanted a movie to watch and relax before bed after work. And I knew this was that type of a movie and it served well. Yes, It won't get 7 out of 10 or anything above. But it definitely worthy of 6 or 6.5 out of ten for sure. Not 4.
- winner316-2
- Sep 17, 2019
- Permalink
Christ he 4th wall breaks to tell us that we are the problem and hes right no one can enjoy anything anymore this movie was a friggin trip, I loved it I've never been more shocked at a series of events unfolding so quickly, all these negative reviews go to show people only care about one thing and one thing only, their cookie cutter expectations for a movie. No I'm not cast no I'm not crew I'm a 23 year old movie buff who found a gem. Is this movie for everyone? Heck no, it's a movie about loss and unnerving dementia settling in. It's dark and dark some more and then dark again. If you want to watch a movie where all you say is WTF for an hour and a half, boom you found it baby
I liked (a lot) how the creators of Tone-Deaf tried to bend some of the rules of cinema. They break the fourth wall on a few occasions and make some bold narratorial decisions. I also liked the antagonism between Baby Boomers and Millennials and how this encapsualted the impotent rage between the generations. In terms of horror, there we some very creepy moments, some BANGS but it wasn't that scary.
All in all, an enjoyable indie-flick, better than US but worse than Get Out.
All in all, an enjoyable indie-flick, better than US but worse than Get Out.
- benprichardsdotcom
- Aug 26, 2019
- Permalink
A pretty dull attempt at a horror-drama (with psychological drama pretensions). Really goes nowhere.
The target audience seems to be millenials, as the older guy is the villain, but even they won't find this very interesting.
The target audience seems to be millenials, as the older guy is the villain, but even they won't find this very interesting.
This movie is so horrible it should have never even been allowed to be on the big screen
- judydrmitrev
- Nov 10, 2019
- Permalink