I Heart Willie (2024) UK Release Review
I Heart Willie (2024) UK Release Review
Popular YouTubers Daniel and Nico are invited to investigate a haunted property drawn by rumours of a malevolent force. The legend centres around a boy born with deformities, resembling a human-mouse hybrid, who inspired Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie. Abused and isolated, the boy, now known as Willie, crafts a bodysuit from the skins of trespassers. Over the years, his gruesome legacy fades into folklore—until a series of disappearances sparks renewed interest. As Daniel and Nico set up for a night of thrills, they unknowingly step into a deadly game of survival.
I HEART WILLIE was filmed 100% on location in Michoacán, Mexico, with local producers Liz Sanchez and Arturo Renteria bringing their unique perspectives to the project. The cast and crew, consisting largely of Mexico City residents, worked tirelessly to bring this dark tale to life. The film premiered to a sold-out audience at the Morbido Film Fest in Mexico City, receiving an encore screening due to overwhelming demand. I HEART WILLIE went on to win Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Director at various film festivals.
I HEART WILLIE is another of a recent glut of horror flicks that have attempted to make a quick buck off the back of Disney characters that have fallen into public domain such as the recent WINNIE THE POOH flicks and slasher flick THE MOUSE TRAP was yet another, this one taking Mickey Mouse over to the dark side.
I HEART WILLIE is better than the aforementioned flicks, the performances are fine and there is a nice plot twist around the halfway point. However, it takes a while to get going as it chooses to weigh itself down with the central foursome’s lifeless conversations rather than thrill or chill its audience.
Things pick up briefly upon their discovery of an exterminator van, its interior caked with blood, but it then fails to make good on the reveal choosing instead to have much of the bloodletting take place off-camera rather than onscreen, perhaps for budgetary reasons, consequently this WILLIE ends up being a bit of tease, it opens with the promise of gore but then turns coy and decides to opt out of doing so.
