In the desert town of Pico Mundo, Odd (Yelchin) lives up to his name. A short-order cook at the local diner, he can see dead people and helps them solve their murders. But Odd knows something bigger and more horrific is coming, and he's having trouble piecing together the clues with the help of his girlfriend Stormy (Timlin), their prescient friend Viola (Mbatha-Raw) and the town's police chief (Dafoe), the only residents who understand his strange gift. Surrounded by demonic critters, a strange man they dub Fungus Bob (Hensley) seems to be the key.

The film is fast-paced and often very funny, as the script is packed with snappy asides, narrative sideroads and pithy observations. It also has an incessant voiceover narration from Odd that explains pretty much everything, such as why he doesn't have a car (he has simplified his life as much as he can). But this means that he explains almost everything, rather than letting us discover it ourselves. For example, we know that he believes he's destined to be with Stormy, but we never quite feel it.

Cleverly, Sommers draws us into Odd's journey by making him thoroughly likeable. And Yelchin plays him with a terrific sense of physical energy, creating superb chemistry with everyone around him. With witty camerawork and editing, plus some subtly eye-catching effects, the story unfurls like a comical Donnie Darko, reminding us to brace ourselves for something truly momentous. And indeed, the film takes turns that are very violent and grim, as well as startlingly moving.

This is a sharply well-assembled film, with a strong script that gives the engaging cast plenty of detail to work with, including moments that are riotously silly and darkly emotional. On the other hand, there isn't much subtext - nothing to think about along the way and little to linger after the credits roll. But it's entertaining while it lasts, building to an oversized finale that's tense and surprisingly punchy.

themes, language, violence

28.Feb.14