'Too Late' (2021) is a horror comedy the follows Violet - an aspiring comedian stuck in an assistants position to a famed comedian, Bob Devore, working as a booker for an open mic at a small cafe. The famed comedian also harbours a dark secret, in that he is a literal monster that eats people. Violet is aware of this and helps the comedian in kidnapping people for him to consume.
The film opens by showing Violet at work - managing the open mic and being consistently berated by Bob's incessant phone calls. Visibly exhausted by this, Violet is shown to put up with it only because Bob maintains that he can give Violet a leg up in the business. Soon after, Violet meets Jimmy, an up and coming stand-up that she befriends and later goes on a date with, choosing to take a night off and ignore Bob's calls. Displeased and angered, Bob ventures out to feast on an unsuspecting civilian. Shortly after, Bob is in touch with a producer who sits in on one of his shows. Pleased with the show, the producer agrees to shoot a pilot for a variety show, attaching Jimmy to the project, effectively passing over Violet as someone who Bob could have attached to the show.
Angered by being overlooked, Violet drugs and presents Chase to Bob, - a stand-up that has taken off, hoping that the sedatives she had given Chase will effectively kill Bob. As soon as Bob keels over, Violet asks her room-mate, Belinda, to help her get rid of the body. Trying to reconcile with Jimmy after their falling out, Violet tells him that Bob was an actual monster. Surprised and sceptical of the notion, Jimmy walks away from her. Bob returns, as he was only knocked out by his previous meal, confronts Violet and proceeds to eat her. Jimmy walks in on a bloated Bob, who asks Jimmy to join him in living on in perpetuity through eating other people. As they discuss, Violet proceeds to carve her way out of Bob, only for him to collapse and die, and Violet and Jimmy to declare their feelings for each other. Some time later, Violet is shown to pursue her passion for stand-up, and the film closes as she goes on stage at an open mic.
'Too Late' is a funky metaphor, comparing comedy, the surrounding business and its players to a harsh environment that involves monsters. As the figure of Bob is shown to literally consume his competition and his way towards Violet is nothing less of exploitative, the title of monster is easily bestowed upon the character and his actions as every facet of his being is representative of a wicked, grotesque and selfish way of being. The film goes to lengths to illustrate both the antagonists at times seemingly insatiable appetite and his disregard for his assistant, as he orders her around, promising to boost her career, obviously not intending to go through with the promise as he turns Violet away at every opportunity to introduce her and integrate her further in the industry. On numerous occasions the film demonstrates Bob's disregard for Violet, both professionally and personally, however the movie lacks in providing further motivation to Bob's actions. Yes, he is selfish and just looking to carry on his business as usual, which is easy and at times enjoyable to hate. However, as the feature carries on, there is little else provided towards what drives Bob, - sure he is egotistical, but that's about it.
Conversely, the film provides a deeper dive into exploring Violet's ambitions. She wants to succeed in the industry and is trying her best by working for Bob and believing that he will eventually help her prosper. Eventually she accepts that she is being used and takes initiative to move forward by herself. Of course there is a struggle and Bob eventually literally consumes her, however Violet is shown to have enough foresight to prepare for such an eventuality as she slices her way to freedom, escaping from Bob's clutches and proceeding to pursue stand-up. The character arc is exciting to follow, as Alyssa Limperis portrays Violet as someone who the audience can very much relate to, showing the young woman's struggle in a dead-end job and eventual triumph over a despicable boss. Limperis provides for a truly realistic illustration of the struggle that many experience, being stuck in a shitty job, and provides inspiration to the viewer that it may be possible to start fresh and strive towards your dreams.
The films antagonist is portrayed by Ron Lynch and the actor delivers a truly loathsome monster that is fun to hate. Lynch's portrayal of an actual monster is deeply perturbing, as everyone can relate to having had, at one point or another, a truly terrible boss. Every time Lynch is on screen, he manages to create an uneasy atmosphere, inducing anxiety and fear of what may come, with the actor doing his utmost with the script. Bob is a dread-inducing presence, however the film leaves more to be desired by way of the characters underlying drive. The film also fits in a number of recognizable actors that fill out smaller supporting roles, such as Fred Armisen, Brooks Wheelan and Mary Lynn Rayskub, delivering great performances peppered throughout the feature that add zest to what may at times seem like a bit of a monotonous drag.
The film is a fun literal take on the monstrous nature of the entertainment industry, focusing specifically on how exploitative comedians can be of one another, highlighting the frustrations and tension that surrounds the industry and for someone who tries to make their way into that world. Bob's monster is a fun take on how comedians can be ruthless in their approach to the job, and will do what they must just to carry on. The feature is a fun look at comedy and comedians, yet its singular focus on the fact that the legendary comedian is a literal monster provides little else to chew on and does little by way of perpetuating any deeper contemplation of the industry after the story concludes. For a movie that is all about comedy, it lacks in delivering laughs, a feature the film may have benefited from.
Score: 2/4
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