Don’t Mess With Grandma / Sunset Superman – Review | Fantastic Fest / Tubi (3/5)

DON’T MESS WITH GRANDMA (aka SUNSET SUPERMAN) is a home invasion action comedy thriller hybrid. It’s screening at Fantastic Fest 2024 and has been picked up by Tubi for streaming. Read our full Don’t Mess With Grandma movie review here!

DON’T MESS WITH GRANDMA is a Home Invasion Action-Comedy premiering at Fantastic Fest 2024. Later, you’ll be able to watch it on Tubi. In fact, Tubi even changed the original title from Sunset Superman to this grandma-focused title.

This is the kind of project where passion for genre movies is as obvious as having fun watching it was for me. You’re not meant to take anything too seriously with this one. However, you are supposed to be well-entertained. And you are!

Continue reading our Don’t Mess With Grandma movie review below.

Michael Jai White is Sunset Superman

I know the official title is now Don’t Mess with Grandma and while I can appreciate putting the older (but fierce) lady in the title, she’s more of a key supporting character.

Also, she’s only ever called “Granna” but that isn’t quite as catchy, I suppose.

The real star of this movie is Michal Jai White (Dragged Across Concrete) and he was playing the title character when it was still called Sunset Superman. Now, the title is different, but he is still the absolute star of the movie.

And an absolute beast of a grandma-protector.

This is necessary as a whole group of people are wanting to enter her home to find valuables. Not caring that she’s just a “little old lady”. Also, Granna is much tougher than she might appear. And her dog, and best friend, Rufus, is awesome!

A great cast

Trying to do harm to Granna (played with heart and tough love by Jackie Richardson), we have a wonderful cast. You’ll recognize the name Billy Zane, but with his quirky look, you’ll do a double-take to recognize his face.

For me, Ess Hödlmoser (Cindy in The Boys, Code 8) is the most kick-ass character in the movie. Yes, even more so than Michael Jai White’s JT. I mean, Ess Hödlmoser’s character Pam goes one-on-one with Michael Jai White’s JT.

Also, Pam is a whole lot smarter than many of the other people wanting to get into grandma’s home.

Watch Don’t Mess with Grandma on Tubi

The writer and director of Don’t Mess with Grandma is Jason Krawczyk. Of course, when he made the movie, it was titled Sunset Superman. This is still (as of writing this) the title it’s under on IMDb. Including an awesome poster.

I can’t help but enjoy the small comedy details like JT snatching the hearing aids right off of his Granna. Just to make sure she isn’t bothered by all the commotion. Keeping the danger and drama away from her is a priority for him.

Fortunately, fighting off the small-town crooks isn’t that hard for him. However, when they increase in numbers, it does get more tricky.

This is a comedy and action hybrid first, but with the violence comes blood (a lot of it!) that makes everything darker. Michael Jai White is perfect in the lead role as a charming protector, who doesn’t want to harm. But he can. And will, if need be.

Don’t Mess with Grandma is reviewed as part of our Fantastic Fest 2024 coverage.

Details

Writer / Director: Jason Krawczyk
Cast: Michael Jai White, Billy Zane, Jackie Richardson, Miles Faber, Brandon Knox, Ess Hödlmoser, Evan Stern, Emily Alatalo, Darryl Scheelar, Rebecca Auerbach, Rob O’Dwyer