Benedict Cumberbatch enlists a puppet to save his son in first Eric trailer
The series, which follows the bereaved puppeteer's quest to reunite his family, premieres May 30 on Netflix
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Imaginary friends are coming in hot as one of the first big movie trends of 2024. We’ve already had Imaginary and are soon to see If, out later this month from the imagination of John Krasinski. Now, we can add Eric, an imaginary blue monster puppet, to the pack.
Eric was dreamed up and drawn by a nine year old boy named Edgar (Ivan Howe), who goes missing on his way to school one morning. His disappearance haunts his father (Benedict Cumberbatch), a beloved puppeteer and creator of the children’s television show, Good Day Sunshine. Think a Bob Ross, Mr. Rogers type—that is, until he suffers what appears to be a bit of a break from reality, and becomes obsessed with the idea that Eric is the only one who can help him bring Edgar home.
While the subject matter is serious, there are some pretty funny things going on in this trailer. The clip starts with a giant shot of an American flag, as if to alert audiences that, ‘Hey! Benedict Cumberbatch is American in this one!’ (The show is set in 1980s New York.) Later on, you realize that the standard minor-key trailer score you’ve been listening to is actually the prelude to a moody remix of ABBA’s “SOS,” a hilarious spin on the whole dark indie cover trailer trend of late. Further in, the series’ tagline flashes: “The real monsters aren’t under the bed.” While it doesn’t seem like these choices are intentionally meant to be hilarious, they really, really are. They do render the tone of this thriller a bit muddled, but then again, the trailer ends with a blue monster puppet talking out loud to Benedict Cumberbatch, so maybe we’re the ones not using enough of our imagination.
The series was created by Abi Morgan, who previously penned Shame (2011), The Iron Lady (2011), and Suffragette (2015). It also stars Gaby Hoffmann, McKinley Belcher III, Dan Fogler, and Clarke Peters. Eric arrives on Netflix May 30.
10 Comments
Looks interesting, but the title leaves me cold. I mean, a fantastical creature from a kid’s imagination named “Eric?”Calling it now, the name is going to be key to solving the mystery.
Genuinely curious how is this concept can sustain the length of a limited series
it’s only 6 parts, so assuming nothing happens until episode 2 i don’t think it’s that much of a stretch.
Woah, series? I thought this was a movie. I hope it’s only meant to be one season.
wasn’t this more or less the plot to that Chris Meloni/Patton Oswalt show ‘Happy!’? That show took some weird fucking turns, but daughters imaginary friend helping dad find kid was the basis.
But Happy is based off a Grant Morrison story, so the elevator pitch is just the jumping off point for something way more batshit. This miniseries seems to be playing things straight.
to me it looks creepy and weird and sad and I wasn’t tempted to laugh once. would watch if I hadn’t gotten rid of my Netflix subscription ages ago.
Later on, you realize that the standard minor-key trailer score you’ve been listening to is actually the prelude to a moody remix of ABBA’s “SOS,” Later on? The first three piano notes are pretty much taken directly from the original recording. If you know the song it’s instantly recognisable from the start.
I feel like everything that can be said about puppeteers was said by Being John Malkovich.
While the subject matter is serious, there are some pretty funny things
going on in this trailer. The clip starts with a giant shot of an
American flag, as if to alert audiences that, ‘Hey! Benedict Cumberbatch
is American in this one!’Try not to hurt yourself with that stretch.