The creepy 2017 horror monster short Larry is becoming a feature film entitled Come Play, and here's everything we know about it so far. The internet is full of many pluses and minuses, but in the film world, online streaming video has definitely made it easier for filmmakers to get their work noticed, without needing any kind of big money benefactor. While becoming a Hollywood director remains incredibly hard, there are multiple success stories in which a short film blew up online, leading to a gig directing a feature-length expansion.
Most of said stories involve horror shorts, and that makes total sense, as horror lends itself to the short film format better than any other genre. Lots of setup isn't really necessary, just place a character(s) in either a creepy location or a normally mundane location about to be made creepy, add some sinister music, dim or turn out the lights, and throw in a monster - preferably one with a really cool, unique design - to leave the viewer on a big scare, and one has a potential online hit.
That was the case for Larry, a 2017 horror short written and directed by Jacob Chase. Larry became popular, and Focus Features hired Chase to write and direct a feature-length version called Come Play. Here's what we know.
Come Play Release Date
Come Play was originally set to be released in theaters on July 24, 2020. As with every other planned theatrical release since mid-March though, the Coronavirus pandemic has caused Come Play to be delayed. The adaptation of the Larry short film will now arrive in theaters on October 30, 2020. Whether this date will stick remains to be seen, as the Coronavirus is still very much an issue.
Come Play Story Details
The Larry short film focused on a man working alone at night in a toll booth, who gets menaced by the titular monster, which appears through mobile electronic devices. Come Play switches things up a bit, centering the story on a troubled young boy and his parents, who must deal with Larry's wrath after he uses the child's devices to escape into the real world.
Come Play Cast
Starring as the central boy, named Oliver, is Azhy Robertson, who recently appeared in the HBO mini-series The Plot Against America. Playing his mom, Sarah, is Gillian Jacobs, best known for playing Britta Perry on the popular sitcom Community. More recently, Jacobs starred in the Netflix series Love. Rounding out the family unit is John Gallagher Jr. as dad Marty. Gallagher Jr. most recently appeared on HBO's Westworld season 3, and in the 2020 aquatic horror film Underwater.