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During the peak of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, a grifter is hired under false pretenses as a private cook for a socialite family on a secluded island. What follows is a series of events that will turn the house upside down, ending in an absolutely unexpected jaw-dropping way.
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Entitled journalist Jay Horton (Billy Magnussen) is a vegetarian pacifist who has moved his family out of the city and into a mansion on an island to isolate himself while the masses are dying of the Spanish Flu. Jay is an outspoken writer who criticizes the president’s efforts to handle the pandemic, often embellishing the truth in ways that, if found out, would completely discredit him.
Jay’s wife, Julie Horton (Sarah Gadon), along with their two children, Molly (Willa Dunn) and Tom (Callum Vinson), are cared for by their small staff, Mrs. McMurray (Kristine Nielsen), Kaan (Faran Tahir), and Mrs. Tidwell. (Sky P. Marshall) The staff follow the “House Rules” and are kept socially separate from the Horton family and appear grateful to their employers. Everything seems efficient and orderly until the new cook, Floyd Monk (Peter Sarsgaard), arrives and immediately ingratiates himself with the staff and family, to the dismay of Jay.
IS IT SWEET, OR IS IT SOUR?
As the flu pandemic continues and eventually finds its way to the island town where the Hortons are staying, food becomes scarce, and Floyd begins to use his found favor with the family and his ability to provide for the family’s needs to change the “House Rules.” At the same time, Jay, suffering from malnutrition and sensing his slipping control, begins to spiral out of control.
THOUGHTS
Though the filmmakers Austin Stark and Joseph Schuman utilized the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic as the setting for the film, their goal was to create a thought-provoking thriller that spoke more to the relationship between “The Haves” and “Have-Nots” and how the barrier between the two is broken during times of crisis. The unknowns in this story keep you guessing who is good and who is bad; you’ll often find yourself empathizing with every character. Some twists will keep you switching sides and enjoying every moment. Ultimately, you will simultaneously find yourself satisfied and infuriated, which is exactly where the filmmakers want you.
REVIEW
Perception is paramount, and this film will continue to play with that perception until the very end scene. Moments are unexpected and yet seem fleshed out organically. Floyd Monk is extremely likable, while Jay Horton is quite the opposite. The cast of characters all have their moment and are incredibly delightful. Overall, ‘Coup!’ serves up a delightfully dark comedic thriller! I give it a 4.5 out of 5
‘Coup!’ will release in theaters August 2nd.
