‘Halloween’s upon us!’ 

Continuing their successful partnership with Adam Sandler, Netflix presents a comedy based specifically around this time of year and all the accompanying tropes. Directed by Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh’s Steven Brill, and co-scripted by Sandler himself with long-time collaborator Tim Herlihy (The Wedding Singer, Happy Gilmore, Little Nicky), Hubie Halloween also features a whole host of well-known faces from over the years.

Hubert ‘Hubie’ Dubois of the title (Sandler) – who still lives at home with his mom (June Squibb) and works on the deli counter at his local supermarket – is a figure of fun in his hometown of Salem. Repeatedly getting things thrown at him as he cycles around trying to keep the residents safe, he nevertheless perseveres – and especially at this time of year, his favourite holiday. Which is a bit ironic, as he’s very easily scared… by everything! That includes declaring his lifelong love for Violet Valentine (Modern Family’s Julie Bowen), who was the most popular girl in school.

This particular Halloween, however, there’s an added threat in the form of escaped mental patient Richie Hartman who is returning to town (Michael Myers-style) and new neighbour Walter Lambert (Steve Buscemi from Boardwalk Empire) who has his own headstone in the local graveyard and does some very questionable things come full moon (‘How old are you Walter?’ ‘You mean in human years?’). Of course no-one’s listening to Hubie-Bubie as per usual, probably because he pesters the police – led by Sgt Downey (King of Queen’s Kevin James), who also happens to be Violet’s ex – with his nonsense on a regular basis. When people start going missing, though, it’s up to our hero to get on the case and work out what’s happening. Is it all down to Richie and Walter, or is something more sinister going on?

If you enjoyed films like Ernest Scared Stupid and Scary Movie, then you’re in the right place because there’ll be plenty for you to enjoy. There’s old school slapstick (like Hubie’s constant pratfalls from his bike), wordplay (thinking the word ‘boner’ means ‘mistake’ is a running gag), and even bloopers during the credits at the end. There are also some laugh out loud moments, especially when Maya Rudolph’s Mrs Hennessey is around. But silliness aside, there’s something quite sweet about the character of Hubie, who Sandler brings endearingly to life, even with that weird voice (as Violet says, ‘He’s the nicest person in town…’ and his heart’s definitely in the right place), plus a genuine ‘didn’t see it coming’ plot twist at the end.

Add to that appearances from the likes of Ray Liotta, Michael Chiklis, Rob Schneider, Ben Stiller, Shaquille O’Neal, George Wallace… and I reckon it’ll probably be another hit for team Sandler/Netflix this spooky season.

Verdict: “Salem needs me”   7/10

Paul Kane