The Vicious Kind, written and directed by ­­­­­­­­Lee Toland Krieger, is a dark dramedy that takes place over one Thanksgiving weekend.  Caleb (Adam Scott) reluctantly agrees to pick up his younger brother, Peter (Alex Frost), and Peter’s new girlfriend, Emma (Brittany Snow), from college.  Caleb is a sarcastic and hostile human being with insomniac tendencies who, as a result of a rough break-up, has become obnoxiously vocal about his extreme loathing of all females.

During the car ride, Caleb makes Emma feel as uncomfortable as possible.  Having had a falling out with his father Donald (J.K. Simmons), he drops Peter and Emma off at the very end of their childhood home driveway so as to avoid all contact with Donald.

Soon Caleb begins running into Emma frequently and coincidentally around town, where he demonstrates a bizarre violent side, using force to threaten her into treating his brother well.   We soon find out that Emma bears a striking resemblance to Caleb ex-girlfriend, and he begins sneaking around his father’s home in attempt to take photographs of her.  His obsession turns into a kind of danger for Emma and his family, with most noteworthy events and scenes taking place right under Peter’s ignorant nose.

Despite his negativity, Caleb is a complex but likeable character.  Adam Scott portrays him in an insanely believable way – not as an inherently angry person, but rather a kind-hearted victim of unfortunate circumstance, struggling to sort through his problems.

The Vicious Kind is funny in the worst way. I found myself constantly anxious to find out what was going to happen next, while discretely laughing at cautious sarcasm along the way.  The film, like many independent dramas, tells a tale of suffering and betrayal within a broken family, but hosts an extra layer of intensity that lends depth to the movie’s success.

I probably would not watch The Vicious Kind again.  Upon second watch, the suspense would be lost, causing an unavoidable disinterest.  However, I am glad I watched it once and I would recommend that others see it as well.

There should be a name for this type of film; “required expendables”, or something of that sort.  It is certainly a film to see, but not a film to see again and again.