‘Y2K’ Trailer: High Schoolers Take On A Retro Apocalypse

Aug 20

From Ryan Cordaro

I wasn’t alive during the whole Y2K scare going around, where potential technology issues would shut down all technology because they couldn’t distinguish 1900 and 2000 at the time. Since you’re reading this on a piece of technology, whether it’s a computer or a phone or a tablet, the Y2K bug didn’t happen. I have to admit, though, I’m surprised that it’s taken this long to get some sort of movie like this: using the Y2K phenomenon in a horror lens, even if it’s using it in more of a goofy tone. It has a lot of potential, though, and the trailer below shows this.

This has a good premise that’s a good example of something being simple but effective. On New Year’s Eve 1999, two high schoolers crash a Y2K party, but they end up fighting for their lives as the Y2K bug actually hits. Not only does all technology shut off, but something takes it over and starts killing everyone. It’s basically a disaster horror-comedy, and I think that’s a cool idea. This is also Kyle Mooney’s directorial debut, formerly a Saturday Night Live cast member. This also premiered back in March at South by Southwest, and it was picked up by A24 last year just after it swept that year’s Oscars with Everything Everywhere All At Once. Jonah Hill also produces, which even hammers home the idea of a Superbad/This is the End look I was getting from the trailer. It looks like good fun to me, and I always like a good, silly horror-comedy.

Y2K stars Jaeden Martell (Arcadian, Knives Out), Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2, the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon), Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the upcoming Snow White), Daniel Zolghardri (Funny Pages, Eighth Grade), Lachlan Watson (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Goodbye Volcano High), Eduardo Franco (Stranger Things, Booksmart), Fred Durst (the guy from Limp Bizkit, I Saw The TV Glow), Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live, Brigsby Bear), Mason Gooding (the Scream franchise, Fall), The Kid LAROI, Tim Heidecker (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, us), and Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, Reptile).