Y2K Review: Kyle Mooney’s Directorial Debut is an Amusing, Schlocky Stoner Hit About the End of the World

   December 7, 2024

The best way to approach Y2K is to go in completely blind. Seriously, avoid trailers and marketing if you can. The film’s absurd twists and genuinely hilarious moments are what make it so enjoyable, and knowing too much beforehand could spoil the fun. Kyle Mooney makes his directorial debut here, and he nails it. Throughout the brisk 91-minute runtime, he keeps the pace sharp and entertaining. The movie is often exhilarating, always self-deprecating, and has just enough 1999 nostalgia to hit the right notes without feeling overdone or cheesy.

Y2K
Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, and Julian Dennison in Y2K

Eli (Jaeden Martell) is desperately trying to impress his classmate Laura (Rachel Zegler) before the New Year’s Eve party they’re planning to ring in the millennium. It’s 1999, and the Y2K panic has everyone on edge. Conspiracy theorists and doomsday preppers are convinced the world will end when the calendar flips from 99 to 00.

In reality, the panic was unfounded. Life went on, and the world stayed mostly the same. But Y2K flips that scenario, asking what would’ve happened if the switch to the new millennium had actually led to the collapse of civilization. While we’ll never know how that might’ve played out in real life, Kyle Mooney offers a wildly absurd take on what could have happened in a gory, chaotic, and over-the-top fictional world.

For the most part, Y2K fully embraces its delightfully weird and self-indulgent premise. Going into it without any idea of the plot, I was shocked by the direction Kyle Mooney and co-writer Evan Winter chose to take. The mechanical, monster-like creatures that emerge when the clock strikes midnight are unlike any tech-based monsters I’ve ever seen. The chaos they unleash is unpredictable, shifting from hilarious one moment to genuinely devastating the next.

Eli’s friends—Danny (Julian Dennison), CJ (Daniel Zolghadri), and Ash (Lachlan Watson)—deliver many of the film’s best moments. But honestly, Y2K shines brightest in its comedy. It’s funny and genuine in a way that many films aim for but few actually pull off. With its wild premise and dark humor, it’s bound to be a cult hit. The right crowd will definitely find plenty of fun in it.

My biggest issue with the film is that the supporting characters are far more engaging than the lead. Jaeden Martell feels miscast in the central role of Eli, trying to add drama to a film that really doesn’t need it. The screenplay, though, is consistently hilarious. Julian Dennison commands the screen with his presence, Daniel Zolghadri delivers some great impromptu underground rap, Lachlan Watson and Kyle Mooney bring the stoner comedy, Eduardo Franco plays a goofy, macho skateboarder, and Fred Durst even shows up as himself.

Nearly every comedic moment from the 30-minute mark onward lands, which is why the first 30 minutes can feel tedious. The romance between Eli and Laura, unfortunately, ends up being the least rewarding part of the film. Y2K really shines in its funniest and most absurd moments. I’ll admit, I was skeptical of Kyle Mooney’s ability to direct a full-length feature with such a quirky mix of pastiche and comedy, but the absurdity builds on itself in the best way. It’s ridiculous, but in the most charming and enjoyable way possible.

Y2K gives Rachel Zegler the chance to showcase her talents in a way no other film has yet. While she’s been great in roles like West Side Story and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (and likely her upcoming Snow White adaptation), those parts didn’t stretch her abilities. Surprisingly, this horror-comedy about a computer apocalypse is the first film to push her beyond her usual range, and she handles it impressively.

Y2K may not be the best movie of 2024, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. Going into it, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Kyle Mooney managed to direct a 90-minute, V/H/S-style segment that I found surprisingly engaging. With goofy monsters, endless humor, and mostly likable characters, the film grew on me as it went along. By the end, I was fully on board. This A24 teen stoner-comedy has a real charm to it, and I couldn’t help but be won over by it.

Score: 7/10

Related Movies Starring Jaeden Martell

Jaeden Martell has starred in movies like:

  • It (2017)
  • It: Chapter 2 (2019)
  • Low Tide (2019)
  • Knives Out (2019)
  • The Lodge (2019)
  • Arcadian (2024)
  • Y2K (2024)

Related Movies Starring Rachel Zegler

Rachel Zegler has starred in movies like:

Related Movies Directed by Kyle Mooney

Kyle Mooney has directed movies like:

  • Y2K (2024)

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