Lake Jesup (2023) Film Review – “CATCHPHRASE!” [Dead Northern Film Festival]

Posted on by Jim Cox

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Lake Jesup is a 2024 creature-feature horror comedy written and directed by Michael Houston King. Working in the TV industry as an actor for nearly 30 years, Michael has also worked as a writer on the feature-length family drama The Way Back Home (2006), the short drama Last Stop (2011), and the TV show One Man’s Search for Career Happyness (2022). Michael also makes an appearance in this film as Mayor Sam Neuhauser.

The year is 2003 and 11 people have gone missing since a killer gator named Bonecrusher was released under suspicious circumstances from local attraction Gator Galaxy.  Rumored to be intentionally released into LAKE JESUP for nefarious reasons –  people are now dying and the owner of Gator Galaxy is not only NOT taking any responsibility for it – he is cashing in on the mania of it all. 

Former Gator Galaxy wrangler and ex-con Bubba Coggins, newly out of prison, is presented with the opportunity to have his record expunged if he can find, catch, and kill Bonecrusher.  Desperate to clean up his past and begin a new life with his daughter and grandson, Bubba’s moral compass becomes immediately challenged when he finds himself willing to do ANYTHING, even kill, to accomplish his task of extinguishing Bonecrusher’s reign of terror.

Based on the real-life location of Lake Jesup, the largest lake in Seminole County, Florida, home to the most densely populated collection of alligators in the states. These reptiles were purposely displaced to this location during the draining of the local wetlands to make way for tourist property in the late 60’s. Because of this, over 13,000 species of gator now call this 16,000-acre lake home.

Balancing a perfect mix of serious and stupid, Lake Jesup certainly isn’t afraid to make fun of itself occasionally. From on-the-nose jokes, over-used tropes, purposefully questionable writing, and some unconventional ideas; the film delivers some hilariously outlandish scenes. However, rather than being overly facetious in its comedic overtones, the film presents itself entirely earnestly, strengthening its humor’s delivery and overall impact.

Furthermore, while not looking bad, the main antagonist, Bonecrusher, intentionally lacks quality and certainly adds to the comedy of its scenes. Additionally, with its end-credit bloopers (seriously, films should start bringing these back), it is clear the film was a blast to create both in front of and behind the camera.

Though Lake Jesup contains an eclectic cast of characters portrayed with fantastic performances, the real stand-out renditions come from our protagonist Bubba Coggins and secondary antagonist Angus Sullivan, portrayed by Derek Russo and Jeff Benninghofen respectively.  Derek’s deadpan expression and delivery undoubtedly extenuate the hilarity of the bewildering situation he finds himself in. Whereas Jeff’s portrayal of a greasy, underhanded, uncaring CEO of Galaxy Gator is as hilarious as it is abhorrent. 

Enjoyably dumb fun from beginning to end, Lake Jesup not only pokes fun at the stereotypes of the creature features but throws a few of its own into the mix. With an outstanding cast of memorable characters, non-stop hilarity, and an appropriate level of special effects,  the film is an enjoyable exaggerated escapade in everyday-life Florida. If you’re looking for a less self-aware horror comedy, you should certainly take a trip down to Lake Jesup!

We watched Lake Jesup (2024) at Dead Northern Film Festival 2024

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