Idle Hands (1999)

A teenage slacker's right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent.

Director:

Rodman Flender

Writers:

Terri Hughes Burton (as Terri Hughes), Ron Milbauer

Stars:

Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Elden Henson

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Devon Sawa	...	Anton Tobias
Seth Green	...	Mick
Elden Henson	...	Pnub
Jessica Alba	...	Molly
Vivica A. Fox	...	Debi LeCure
Christopher Hart	...	The Hand
Jack Noseworthy	...	Randy
Katie Wright	...	Tanya
Sean Whalen	...	McMacy
Nicholas Sadler	...	Ruck (as Nick Sadler)
Fred Willard	...	Dad Tobias
Connie Ray	...	Mom Tobias
Steve Van Wormer	...	Curtis
Kelly Monaco	...	Tiffany
Timothy Stack	...	Principal Tidwell

Storyline

Seventeen year old slacker Anton Tobias wakes up one Halloween morning to discover that both of his parents have been turned into two headless Halloween decorations. After speaking to his equally irresponsible friends, Mick and Pnub, he discovers that his right hand has a blood-thirsty mind of its own and is hell-bent on wreaking havoc whether he likes it or not.

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Plot Keywords:

twin brother | drug use | strangulation | demonic possession | disembodied hand | 

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Taglines:

The comedy that gives horror films the backhand.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for horror violence and gore, pervasive teen drug use, language and sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anton's parents are simply credited as Mom and Dad, but in the script their names are Norma and Gary.

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Goofs

Both hands are visible. After Curtis and Tiffany are found in the car, Anton places his right hand on Mick's shoulder, then his left hand as he's walking away.

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Quotes

[after seeing the message on the ceiling]
Dad Tobias: It's just a prank
[clicks off flashlight]
Dad Tobias: Anton.
Mom Tobias: Anton? Our little scooter would never do something like that!
Dad Tobias: Quit calling him that baby name. Anton would not scoot his behind off the couch if the house was on fire!

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Alternate Versions

The TV version seen on Sci-fi has alternate takes of scenes with profanity, instead of awkward overdubbing. Most notably the scene in Pnub's bedroom where "I hate that fuckin' show" is missing the f-word and "Jerking off in the milkshake maker" is changed to "Spitting in the milkshake maker"

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Connections

Referenced in Nikita: Tipping Point (2013)

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Soundtracks

Peppyrock
Written and Performed by BTK
Courtesy of Ignition Records/Tommy Boy Music

User Reviews

Comedy & Horror Seem To Work Well Together

I thought this was going to be just another dumb teen comedy. After watching the first 10 minutes, I was convinced it was, and was ready to try something else. Well, I am glad I stayed with it. It was very funny and a combination comedy and horror film. Yes, it's humor geared more for teens but people far older than 15 should still get a lot of laughs out of this.

Warning: some of the scenes are pretty gross, at least for a comedy, but that's what made those particularly scenes funny. Comedy and horror mix well together, anyway.

The film reminded me a bit of "American Werewolf in London" with the "undead" kids. Despite the absurdity of it, there are a couple of good message in here....but, generally, this is purely escapist fun and nothing else.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 April 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Idle Hands

Filming Locations:

1034 North Madison Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,807,181, 2 May 1999

Gross USA:

$4,152,230

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,152,230

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Licht/Mueller Film Corporation, Team Todd

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1