Directed by Elizabeth Banks and written by Jimmy Warden, Crazy Bear (Cocaine Bear) is an American horror-comedy that hit theaters in March 2023. Led by Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, and Ray Liotta in one of his final roles, the film draws inspiration from a true crime story from 1985 in the United States. After its notable run in cinemas, the movie is set to join HBO Max’s catalog starting March 1, 2026.
The story is inspired by real events: the crash of a cocaine shipment dropped from a plane by drug trafficker Andrew Carter Thornton II, who was later found dead after a failed parachute jump. Several months later, a bear is discovered dead in a Georgia forest, with an autopsy revealing it had ingested a massive amount of drugs. Using this documented starting point, the film explores what might have happened in the moments leading up to the animal’s death.
In this fictional reimagining, a rogue black bear unleashes chaos in a wildlife reserve, attracting a mix of traffickers, police, teenagers on an adventure, and a mother desperately searching for her daughter. The forest transforms into an open-air locked room, where lives intersect amid relentless, brutal attacks. The narrative rhythm swings between tension and dark humor, piling up absurd situations while keeping the outcome for each character open-ended.
Produced notably by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the project originated from Jimmy Warden's discovery of a true story, driven more by curiosity about the animal's fate than that of the smuggler. Filming primarily took place in Ireland, chosen for its landscapes that evoke 1980s Georgia, with additional scenes shot around Atlanta. The digital creature was brought to life by the Weta FX team, founded by Peter Jackson, who envisioned an bear inspired by the Malayan bear, featuring distinctive physical traits to make it a memorable character.
The film proudly embraces its roots in 1970s and 1980s B-movies, blending visceral violence with dark humor. Some action scenes, such as an ambulance attack shot like a high-octane chase, pay homage to modern action cinema. Its hybrid tone—part farce, part gory survival thriller—places it alongside titles like Piranha 3D and Crawl, while still maintaining a distinct connection to American true-crime stories.
Our Review of Crazy Bear:
Right from the opening scene, the film stakes its claim as a wild, over-the-top ride that’s just as hilarious as it is terrifying. Despite its parody-like tone, Crazy Bear is crafted with a surprising level of seriousness and care. Similar in spirit to an Alexandre Aja (Piranha 3D, Crawl), Elizabeth Banks emphasizes that her film, although campy, doesn’t skimp on quality — she’s committed to delivering a polished product, unlike many others in the genre. Mostly known for her acting, this film showcases her talent behind the camera, and we’re thoroughly impressed. Notably, the story is set amidst real events from 1985, and the computer-generated effects bringing the titular bear to life are quite impressive, especially given the modest budget.
As the bear descends into madness, a whole cast of characters find themselves trapped in the forest where the beast prowls: teenage hikers skipping school, one girl’s mother searching for them, drug traffickers looking for their stash, a cop chasing after them — and more. From that point on, what began as a silly comedy quickly morphs into straight-up horror flick, packed with cringe-worthy, bloody deaths that would make even hemophobes squirm. That’s what makes Crazy Bear so enjoyable — it balances its comedic and horror elements perfectly, with neither overshadowing the other. It’s a masterful act of tonal harmony that results in a cohesive, well-crafted film.
A special shoutout to Ray Liotta, who, just a few months before his passing in May 2022, delivered a brilliant performance as Syd, a ruthless, greedy drug lord. Even in a role so absurd, he shines brilliantly. He will be missed greatly.
Crazy Bear
Film | 2023
In theaters from: March 15, 2023
Available on HBO Max starting March 1, 2026
Horror comedy | Runtime: 1h35
Directed by Elizabeth Banks | Starring Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Ray Liotta
Original title: Cocaine Bear
Country: United States
With its bold blend of gore, dark humor, and 80s-inspired re-creations, Crazy Bear holds a unique place in the landscape of recent American horror comedies. Its release on HBO Max offers a chance to revisit this offbeat take on a true crime story, which has over time become a recognizable piece of pop culture.
To explore even further, check out our curated list of HBO Max's new releases for March, our guide to the latest streaming releases across all platforms, and today's top picks in what to watch today in streaming.
