Ten times funnier than anything I’ve ever seen in the indie comedy scene in Los Angeles, Too Late takes its cues from the seediest and grimiest of LA comedy clubs, open mics, and stand up shows. Bob Devore (Ron Lynch) is an aging comedy icon (if you can call a guy playing gross clubs an icon…), whose life is held together by his overworked but ambitious assistant, Violet Fields (Alyssa Limperis). She’s running her own gig on the side – and I’m not just talking about her own personal comedy nights she produces – I’m talking about the additional job of making sure Bob – a monster from horror unknown – gets fed. Thankfully, crummy comedians are easy to come by – and while they might be chock full of illicit substances and cheap food, at least they fill Bob’s ravenous belly.

Tongues planted firmly in cheeks, Too Late is the best horror/comedy I’ve seen in ages. Fun, funny, and in moments frightening, Too Late does the horror genre a huge service, incorporating delightfully gruesome practical effects with laugh out loud comedy – and just a smidge of revenge. Limperis and Violet is determined, fierce, and just unhinged enough to spice up the relatively predictable plot. Her chemistry with each of her costars speaks volumes – from her friends like Bob’s stage manager/technical director/whipping boy Fredo (Fred Armisen),  to her love interest, Jimmy (Will Weldon). The ensemble of this film is tight and honest – and their sincerity helps push this simple little film into something that will – or should – become a cult favorite, the likes of Tucker and Dale vs Evil.

Brilliant, deliciously disgusting practical makeup effects from department head Mo Meinhart and key artist Tanner White take Too Late from the realm of silly into the seriously gross. Character design of the monster – literal and figurative – that is Bob Devore is out of this world genius, combining monster genres like that “something old, something new” poem – a little Wolfman, a little Zombie… you get the idea. I cheered out loud upon first seeing Monster-Bob, laughed, and cringed just a little at his bloated “post-feeding” body. This is the kind of character that sticks in your mind and sells himself from frame one until the very end of the film. Beautiful makeup, delightfully directed to the fullest capacity possible.

Without shying away from the grosser aspects of comedy in LA (I feel like I’m using the word gross a lot, but having been to many comedy/sketch/standup nights over the years, it still feels like the best word), Too Late isn’t bitter, jaded, or cynical about it. Bob, Violet, Jimmy, and everyone else that makes their way through the rotating carousel of Bob and Violet’s battling comedy nights truly loves what they do. There’s a love of the grind, a love of the hustle, that’s palpable, and portrayed with love and kindness – which bashes it’s lovely head against the horror aspects quite nicely.

Too Late is a nearly perfect 80 minutes of laughter, gore, and fun. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like an awful lot more fun than watching your friend’s “stand up routine” at some smoky, dirty bar.

9 out of 10