Kikos: A messy, charming trek through the Civil War

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that feel like they were cobbled together in a drafty barn, Kikos might be for you. It’s definitely not for folks who need a tight script or a movie that moves at a breakneck speed.

You’ll probably hate it if you get annoyed by characters who play the “simpleton” card for laughs. It’s an old film, and it shows its age in ways that are both charming and a bit confusing. 🤷‍♂️

Wait, why is he there again?

The whole premise relies on this guy Kikos just sort of… wandering around. One minute he’s with one group, the next he’s with the other, and nobody really seems to mind? It’s bizarre.

There’s a specific scene where he’s trying to navigate a camp, and he looks so genuinely lost that I couldn't tell if the actor was confused or if it was just the blocking. It doesn’t matter, really. The lack of logic is kind of the point.

The vibe check

It’s nowhere near the intensity of Mystery Pilot. That movie had a certain weight to it, whereas this feels more like a fable that someone decided to film on a Tuesday afternoon.

The pacing is all over the place. Sometimes it stops dead for a long, lingering look at a landscape. Other times, it rushes through an entire political shift like it’s checking off items on a grocery list.

Small, weird details

• There’s a horse in the background of one wide shot that looks like it’s trying to eat the camera lens.
• The dialogue feels like it was dubbed in a wind tunnel.
• I’m pretty sure one of the extras is just waiting for his lunch break in the corner of the frame.

It’s not trying to be a The Complete Life type of masterpiece. It’s just a weird, little historical curiosity. If you go in looking for a lesson in history, you’re gonna be disappointed. If you go in looking for a man who is consistently, hilariously out of his depth, you’ll have a decent time.

Sometimes, the movie stops taking itself seriously. Those are the best parts. Whenever the brass gets involved, the tone gets heavy and dull. But as soon as the camera pivots back to Kikos just trying to find a meal, it regains its pulse. 🥣

It’s an imperfect watch. But I’d rather watch this than something slick and soulless. At least here, you can see the effort poking through the seams.