Remember actors who were in some of your favourite movies growing up or who are part of your core memory and you casually think whatever happened to them? Ever think that way about Crispin Glover (9; Charlie’s Angels)? If yes, there is some great news for you. Glover returns as a leading man in Tallulah Hazekamp Schwab’s (Confetti Harvest) latest, simply titled Mr. K. In what can simply be described as a hotel from hell with a leading man, this description would be the understatement of the year while also being the easiest way to prepare audiences for what they’re getting into. A truly zany and masterful adventure focusing on a traveling magician, Mr. K proves that the love of magic doesn’t end with children.
L-R: Fionnula Flanagan, Dearbhla Molloy, and Crispin Glover as Mr. K in MR. K. Photo Credit: Kris Dewitte. Photo courtesy of Hook Publicity.
Mr. K focuses on the titular character, Mr. K (Crispin Glover), having a bit of a mishap and some misfortune as he checks into this treasure trove of mystery that is a hotel. Things aren’t exactly as they seem. Granted, we are following a travelling magician in this whimsical adventure, so the hotel is never going to be a luxurious stay at the Ritz. There is a lot of intrigue and love in this old, dishevelled hotel. Everything is relatively innocuous until Mr. K tries to leave the next morning, when he discovers he simply cannot. Not that the exit door does not simply exist, or that he is unable to find said door, but rather the hotel is, in this other worldly sense, trying to keep him there. However, as it is a hotel, Mr. K is not alone as he is joined by an assortment of guests played by Fionnula Flanagan (The Others), Dearbhla Molloy (Wild Mountain Thyme), Sunnyi Melles (Triangle of Sadness), and Bjørn Sundquist (Handling the Undead), amongst others as they’re all seemingly trapped in this rather intriguing and mysterious hotel.
Crispin Glover as Mr. K in MR.K. Photo Credit: Kris Dewitte. Photo courtesy of Hook Publicity.
While Mr. K has a rich cast, the hotel is nearly as important as any other character in the film as without the hotel there is no story, there is no obstacle, there is no sense of dread, unease, questionability, anything. Treating the hotel as a character is truly something that breathes life into the film for what otherwise could be classified as a set piece. Having not seen Schwab’s previous feature, this proves an ability to create such worlds utilizing locations and objects rather than just characters, making this script so enthralling and engaging.
L-R: Rose Thompson, Peter Schoenaerts, Crispin Glover as Mr. K, Sunnyi Melles, Fabian Jansen, and Willem Loobuyck in MR. K. Photo Credit: Kris Dewitte. Photo courtesy of Hook Publicity.
It would all be for nothing though if it was not for Crispin Glover who brings one of his best performances to date. He allows the audience to get lost in his character and follow his journey to find his way out of the hotel to continue his journey without losing them along the way. Glover highlights Mr. K’s humanity and determination as the character reluctantly, but ultimately, mingles with the guests and bands together with them to get to the bottom of the mystery. Glover shines bright, along with his co-stars, to bring this genre-mashing adventure to the forefront of excellence.
MR. K writer/director Tallulah H. Schwab. Photo Credit: Tallulah H. Schwab. Photo courtesy of Hook Publicity.
Mr. K may be the title of the film, but is also the leading character who is empowered by a great performance by Crispin Glover reminding the world of his brilliance. Tallulah Hazekamp Schwab brings forth great control behind the camera and in the script, as well, creating a whimsical, dark world for the audience to further their love and exploration of a world of magic which usually disappears as our childhood fleets.
Screening during Toronto International Film Festival 2024.
In select theaters October 8th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Toronto International Film Festival 2024 Mr. K webpage.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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