Critic’s Ratings Prevent “Bad Ben” From Getting Proper Recognition

By Alex Newcomb

April 29, 2022

If you’re looking for a lesser known film to watch, Tubi’s comedy Bad Ben is the one to go with. With its 5.4/10 rating, you may feel reluctant to watch it. However, don’t be fooled by those with little taste that can’t recognize masterpieces when they see one. Bad Ben's Awkward elements create the perfect balance of surprise and satisfaction. This movie is one of a kind.

Tom Riley (Nigel Bach) takes up all of the spotlight in this one-man show. The movie follows him across his journey of buying a new home, in hopes of flipping it and making a profit. The whole movie is filmed from Tom Riley’s perspective as he tries to capture his experience through blogging.

When Tom enters the house, he notices multiple belongings that have been left and abandoned. He thinks he scored a good deal on the home and asks himself why anyone would leave so much behind. Quickly after, random doors begin to swing open and furniture is moved, making Tom fearful of intruders. When he looks back through the tapes, he learns that it is a spirit that has grown fond of his home.

This is not just some ordinary comedy movie. It is one of the very few that passes its expectations and is guaranteed to make you laugh at least once. The script was written so perfectly that the sarcastic remarks made by Tom were unpredictable and random, which made me eager to continue watching. I normally never laugh during movies, but this was the exception. It truly is nothing like the normal comedy movies. It has none of the cheesy lines that make you cringe or the overly dramatic ones that aren’t even funny.

The cinematography is what really stood out. Its awkward editing cuts mixed with random screen displays, that seemed as if a 10-year-old edited it, surprisingly added an element of entertainment. Although the camera quality was poor, it still went with the story’s theme. There is no dull moment as it constantly switches between phone camera to security footage, keeping the movie rolling and the audience on their toes.

Unlike most of the recent movies, Bad Ben ends at the perfect time, leaving the watcher wanting seconds. It is not dragged out like the many others that have the audience counting down the minutes until they can finally jump out of their seats. Looking to save money? No problem, it’s free. No excuse is valid not to give this movie a chance.

Although Bad Ben has yet to be rated, it’s fair to say it is PG-13 appropriate. Four out of four stars.