The Honeycut: ‘Tusk’ is a Surprising Examination of Human Nature

I am the Walrus

Kevin Smith is a filmmaker whose movies I’ve always enjoyed. In fact, “Chasing Amy” is one of my favorite films. So, why did I never watch his horror movie “Tusk?” It’s a valid question. I remember running an entertainment story about its release back when I worked in the news. Then, I just sort of forgot about it. 

That all changed when horror author Alex Grass came on the Midnight Terrors Podcast. When he chose to cover “Tusk,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. 

After finally seeing this movie, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, and that I’d slept on it for so long. It’s an incredibly entertaining and comedic body horror flick. But more than that, it is a fascinating exploration into human nature. 

The Story

Wallace and Teddy host a podcast where they make fun of stupid things people do on the internet. When Wallace goes to interview one of these people, he ends up kidnapped by a psycho, and eventually, turned into a human walrus. 

Honey’s Cut

Where do I even start with this one? Let’s begin with the characters. They are so well written and acted. I was hooked from the first scene with the banter between Wallace and Teddy. Michael Parks plays a more-than-convincing crazy old man obsessed with a walrus. Then there’s Johnny Depp as this dry-humored, super French-Canadian detective. Each character brings their own story and flavor to the movie, and I was fully invested in each of them. 

How about something every horror fan will appreciate? The body horror. This walrus suit Wallace gets sewn into just looks gross. It’s made of patched together human parts. You can even see ears and stuff sticking out of the suit. Simply describing it doesn’t do it justice. There’s a reason why “Tusk” was praised for its practical effects upon release. 

For a comedic Kevin Smith movie born from a joke on a podcast, this movie was deep! There are conversations about how awful humans can be and how innocent animals are. I didn’t expect any of this but I’m so glad they’re here. 

I watch a lot of horror movies for the podcast. Often, I have to pause them to go do some stuff. Usually, it’s whatever. But every time I had to walk away from “Tusk” I couldn’t wait to get back and continue the wild ride. 

Honey’s Final Thought

“Tusk” is nothing like I expected. In fact, it’s not like anything I’d ever seen. Maybe “The Fly” from the 80s would be the closest thing I can compare it to. 

Maybe what this movie does best is how it shows how humans can become monsters. Take Wallace for example. Through flashbacks with his girlfriend, we learn that he was once a good-natured, humble guy. However, the fame and money allowed him to become a cruel, arrogant man. And by the end, he is turned into a literal monster. 

Wallace is just one of several characters who does horrible things. And I think that was my biggest takeaway from “Tusk.” There is a fine line between man and monster. Was Wallace a monster long before he became a mutant walrus? 

“Tusk” left me thinking about a few things after the credits rolled. For me, what’s still on my mind is: what does a person become if they lose their humanity?