R-Rated Dark Comedy Horror On Tubi Is The Best Elvis Movie Ever
Bubba Ho-Tep brings together two American heroes to fight an ancient mummy, or at least that’s what the protagonists of the movie think. Taking place in a retirement home, the movie follows a man who thinks he’s Elvis and a man who thinks he’s JFK in their fight against an evil mummy. With a low budget, great cast, and smart script it’s become a cult classic comedy horror.
An Insane Premise Executed Flawlessly
Bubba Ho-Tep begins by telling a story about Elvis faking his own death when an impersonator named Sebastian Haff dies. The movie then cuts 20 years into the future when the man who may or may not be Elvis has been committed to a retirement home. Along with his friend Jack, a black man who believes he’s John F. Kennedy, they battle a mummy that’s stalking the institution at night to feed on the souls of patients.
The silly premise is played up by its phenomenal leading actors who make Bubba Ho-Tep a delightful, heartfelt romp. Elvis is played by low-budget horror icon Bruce Campbell, who brings the physical comedy and charm audiences have come to expect. Meanwhile, prolific actor Ossie Davis delivers a phenomenal comedic performance as Jack.
A Low-Budget Cult Classic
Writer and director Don Coscarelli adds further low-budget horror prestige to the production. Known for the Phantasm series, he’s a staple of the low-budget horror world. He brings his years of experience on low-budget sets to Bubba Ho-Tep, which may be his most beloved work.
Released in 2002 and based on a book of the same name, Bubba Ho-Tep was an instant cult classic. It received a limited theatrical release, appearing at a handful of film festivals but never getting widespread distribution. Despite the lack of wide release it earned just over its $1 million production budget and received glowing positive reviews from critics.
Committing To The Bit
Like many cult classic movies, Bubba Ho-Tep found its audience in DVD sales after its minimal theatrical release. It holds a special place in many hearts, particularly for Bruce Campbell fans as it’s widely considered his best starring role outside of the Evil Dead franchise. It also has a strong reputation among critics, earning a shockingly high 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.
With a confined setting, creepy monster, and quirky characters Bubba Ho-Tep is a pitch-perfect horror comedy. Most of the comedy comes from Elvis and Jack’s absurd beliefs about themselves and commitment to their respective personas. Seeing the elderly men team up and concoct a plan to stop a supernatural threat is also incredibly satisfying in a conventional monster movie fashion.
Oddly Emotional For An Elvis Mummy Movie
Despite how wacky Bubba Ho-Tep is it’s also a surprisingly heartfelt exploration of aging and mental health. The character’s self-images may be played for laughs, but there’s a tragic loneliness in the elderly characters that the movie gives moments of genuine emotional weight. It uses its monster to demonstrate how vulnerable and alone elderly patients, likely with mental illness, are inside an institution that mostly ignores them.
Elvis Has Left The Building
Bubba Ho-Tep’s quirky comedy and unique setting set it apart from other horror comedy films, easily offsetting its low budget. With a lovely friendship at its center and themes rarely explored in horror, it’s also much smarter than its premise would suggest. If you’re a fan of horror comedy or Bruce Campbell in particular, you should watch Bubba Ho-Tep on Tubi for free as soon as possible.
