Holiday-themed films often bring together laughter, cheer, and sometimes, unexpected chaos. Dito Montiel's darkly comedic movie, Riff Raff, threads the needle between the festive spirit and the stark realities of family dysfunction, packed with humor, violence, and moral dilemmas. Set against the backdrop of affluent upstate New England, Montiel's film delivers moments of both hilarity and horror during the week-long gap between Christmas and New Year's.
The film stars well-known actors including Ed Harris as Vince, Jennifer Coolidge as Ruth, Gabrielle Union as Sandy, and notable appearances from Bill Murray and Pete Davidson. Riff Raff is not just another holiday fare; it intertwines crime drama with family comedy, portraying the members' tumultuous interactions as they gather during the holidays.
At its core, Riff Raff follows the character of Vincent Harris, who, once embedded within the criminal underworld, is now desperately seeking normalcy and peace. "Vincent is an ex-criminal who more than anything, just wants a normal, peaceful life," explains Gabrielle Union, who stars as his wife, Sandy.
The narrative kicks off with Vincent and his blended family preparing for their winter holiday at their idyllic cabin, only for the tranquility to be disrupted by the arrival of Vincent’s estranged son, Rocco. Rocco, played by Lewis Pullman, makes quite the entrance, bringing along his pregnant girlfriend Marina and the turbulent evidence of his troubled past. The chaos signals not just holiday disorder but also the reawakening of familial tensions.
Coolidge's character, Ruth, Vincent's ex-wife, is decidedly unrefined, exuding humor laced with hostility. She makes her displeasure known through comical yet edgy banter—a trait the actress has mastered. Utilizing vulgarity as both armor and weapon, Ruth offers comedic relief even amid the film's darker moments.
Montiel expertly weaves flashbacks and confessions throughout the film, creating amid this humor serious dialogue surrounding parenting and family woes. The dynamics are anything but simple, as the screenplay by John Pollono delves deeply, asking what it truly means to confront past mistakes and nurture familial bonds.
The film not only juggles the comedic elements but also confronts serious subjects. It takes inspiration from years of anti-Christmas movies, following the tradition of films like Bad Santa and The Ice Harvest, transforming the notion of family-friendly holiday films by adding layers of adult humor and cynicism. Critics describe it as attempting to navigate the rough waters of familial love interspersed with dark humor.
While the film does develop moments with sheer brutality, adhering to its R rating, it inspects the characters’ emotional stress under duress. "Riff Raff does not want you to take anything too seriously. And yet it does want you to take it seriously enough," remarked one critic, emphasizing the film's precarious tonal balance.
Perhaps the most controversial yet entertaining subplot involves Lefty (Bill Murray) and his sidekick played by Pete Davidson, both of whom arrive as menacing, comedic figures who complicate matters even more with stories of retribution. The duo's antics prompt comparisons to the frenetic, sometimes absurd humor characteristic of Pulp Fiction and Tarantino-esque storylines. While attempting to fit the mold of the holiday caper, they also introduce elements of danger and unpredictability.
The tension crescendos as the plot propels toward chaos, with the trifecta of Rocco's ill-timed arrival, unexpected guests, and the ominous threat of Lefty and his crew leading to a frantic, if not bloody conclusion—a chaotic mélange reminiscent of Ted Demme's The Ref.
Though not without its flaws, Riff Raff presents homecomings fraught with buried resentments and shocking revelations. It navigates between laughing at misfortunes and confronting unresolved issues.
It’s tempting to draw parallels with earlier holiday films, yet Riff Raff unshackles itself from traditional narratives, offering something more akin to family dysfunction viewed through the lens of dark comedy rather than patting itself on the back with simplistic resolutions.
The film officially opens on February 28, 2025, bringing audiences this ensemble of star power and narrative complexity as they navigate the tumultuous terrain of family relations, chaos, and the holiday spirit—albeit with a decidedly twisted spin.