If you thought you'd seen every flavor of action-thriller, Netflix has a surprise for you. The Becky franchise—kicking off with 2020's Becky and its 2023 sequel The Wrath of Becky—is a wild, blood-soaked ride that mashes up the inventive mayhem of Home Alone with the relentless vengeance of John Wick. And with a third film, The Last Temptation of Becky, on the horizon, there's no better time to discover this unexpectedly addictive series.
From Grief to Guerrilla Warfare
The first film introduces us to 13-year-old Becky (Lulu Wilson), a girl still reeling from her mother's death and furious at her father (Joel McHale) for moving on. When she storms off into the woods with her dog Diego, a gang of escaped Neo-Nazis—led by a chilling Kevin James—invades her family's home. They're hunting for a key, and they think Becky has it. What they don't know is that this teen is a tactical prodigy, turning the forest into a death trap of her own design. It's Home Alone with a body count, and it's gloriously unhinged.
The Wrath of Becky cranks the intensity into full John Wick territory. Three years later, Becky lives off the grid, trying to find peace. But when a gang of far-right insurrectionists, led by the psychotic Darryl (Seann William Scott), steals Diego, she unleashes a fury that makes the first film look like a warm-up. She tracks them to their cabin, turning their own plans for a violent attack into a bloody, personal war. The sequel is faster, more gleeful in its carnage, and perfectly captures Becky's evolution from lost girl to lone survivor.
Lulu Wilson: A Teen Action Star for the Ages
What makes this trilogy work is Lulu Wilson's electrifying performance. She's the same age as her character, yet she commands every scene with a mix of raw grief and cold precision. Her Becky is a sarcastic, ferocious force—delivering a cutting one-liner with every kill, as if each blow balances the scales of her pain. In the sequel, she's even more self-possessed, controlling the narrative rather than reacting to it. When Darryl sneers that their fight was 'fun while it lasted,' Becky, face streaked with blood, calmly replies, 'It's not over yet.' You believe her.
Comedy Icons Turned Sinister Villains
Part of the fun is seeing beloved comedians shed their funny personas. Kevin James, best known for The King of Queens and Paul Blart: Mall Cop, is nearly unrecognizable as a hate-filled Neo-Nazi. It's deeply unsettling—and a testament to his range. Similarly, Seann William Scott, forever Stiffler from American Pie, plays Darryl with a cold, humorless fanaticism that leaves no trace of his comedic past. These casting choices add an extra layer of unease, making the villains as memorable as the hero.
Both films are a riotous double bill, blending elaborate fight scenes, gory deaths, and dry humor. They're the kind of chaos that makes you cheer and cringe in equal measure. And with The Last Temptation of Becky teasing the origin of that mysterious key, the trilogy promises a satisfying, irreverent conclusion. For fans of inventive action and dark comedy, this is a must-watch. Check out other addictive movie franchises while you're at it.
