One of the most sure-to-be talked-about movies of the year is nearly upon us in the form of Cocaine Bear. Loosely based on a true story about a bear who ate a bunch of cocaine in the ’80s, the internet has been losing its mind over this one ever since it was revealed to be a very real movie, made by a very reputable, big studio – Universal Pictures, in this case. Well, as a means of promoting this bit of high-brow cinema, the studio has released an 8-bit video game in which you play as the titular bear, and eat people. And yes, you also eat plenty of cocaine along the way.
here is something to entertain you. play as me, and share your high scores: https://t.co/cACSYLGBbj pic.twitter.com/wxb9AwroCV
— Cocaine Bear (@cocainebear) February 14, 2023
What a time to be alive! The little teaser there offers a glimpse of the game in question, which is sort of like Pac-Man, but the goal is to eat the other things running around the map, rather than avoid them. And instead of eating white dots, you’re eating (white lines?) er, bags of illicit drugs. Also, not for nothing, but this is a reminder that the Universal marketing team has been crushing it with this one, and the Twitter account for Cocaine Bear has absolutely been worth a follow as of late. The Super Bowl tweets were also on point. In any event, those interested in the game in question can play it for free online as we speak. There is also a leaderboard with high scores for those who are feeling a bit competitive.
The movie was directed by Elizabeth Banks (Charlie’s Angels, Pitch Perfect 2), working from a screenplay by Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter: Killer Queen). While the story is very loosely inspired by true events, the actual story contained within the film figures to be a good time, with a high body count. The synopsis reads as follows:
“Inspired by the 1985 true story of a drug runner’s plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it, this wild thriller finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500- pound apex predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow … and blood.”
The movie also boasts a stellar cast that includes Keri Russell (The Americans), Margo Martindale (The Watcher), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Godzilla: King of the Monsters), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones), Kahyun Kim (American Gods), Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth), Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project) and newcomer Scott Seiss.
Cocaine Bear is set to hit theaters on February 24. In the meantime, get your fix in our latest issue, and play the game for free via the movie’s website.
