Cocaine Bear Movie Review

The subject of the movie, the bear, in a terrifying poster

S. Sharma, Staff Writer

Cocaine Bear is a quirky and entertaining movie that tells the bizarre and true story of a black bear in Kentucky that ingested a large amount of cocaine and died shortly after. The film, directed by Elizabeth Banks, takes a humorous approach to the incident and follows the journey of the bear and the people involved in the events leading up to its untimely demise. While the bear does not die in this film, it is still a wild ride. 

The movie is set in the 1980s and follows the story of a drug smuggler who crashes his plane in the woods of Tennessee while transporting a large amount of cocaine. The pilot, played by Matthew Rhys, ultimately dies in the opening minutes of the film but leaves behind a duffel bag filled with cocaine. The bag is eventually discovered by a curious bear, who proceeds to consume the entire contents of the bag. The bear’s ingestion of the cocaine sets off a chain of events that involve a group of eccentric characters, including a nurse played by Keri Russell, a drug lord played by Ray Liotta, and his son, played by Alden Ehrenreich. The movie follows the drug lord’s attempts to track down the missing drug smuggler and deal with the bear’s cocaine-induced rampage across the town. 

Despite its unusual premise. Cocaine Bear manages to be both hilarious and engaging, thanks in large part to its talented cast and clever writing. Banks does an excellent job of balancing the film’s comedic elements with its more serious themes, which include issues related to drug addiction and wildlife conservation. 

Overall, Cocaine Bear is a fun and unique movie that will appeal to anyone looking for something a little offbeat. While it may not be for everyone, those who are willing to embrace its quirkiness will be rewarded with an entertaining and memorable viewing experience.