The Chad Factor presents: Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil

Welcome back to The Chad Factor. The place to read my dissection of Chads of all kinds, and what effect they have on the movie. Chad isn't just a name, it's a lifestyle. When you watch a movie and you see a guy be a toootal jerk, you're probably looking at a Chad. Chads are misogynist, racist, ableist, homophobic, and otherwise intolerant; sometimes all at once.

This time we're looking at TUCKER AND DALE VS EVIL (2010). Not to tip my hand too early, but this movie is an example of how you can include Chads in your movie without making it painful to watch. Chads don't ruin movies, how they're presented can. 

Last disclaimer – sometimes I'll listing points for the sake of brevity. If you want to see my full notes, feel free to hit me up on social media! Here we go!

~ ~ ~ SPOILERS FOR TUCKER AND DALE VS EVIL ~ ~ ~

We open on a reporter and her cameraman checking out a building for clues, one of the first lines is: “Sack up, Billy.” Don't reinforce toxic masculinity, kids. Chad Factor 1

After the cold open, we're introduced to our college kids, who are encouraging their friend to break the speed limit, and they nearly hit another car because they’re arguing. Chad Factor 2

Immediately after this, CHAD, HE'S ACTUALLY CALLED CHAD, proceeds to tell his friend to squeal like a pig because they're in “hillbilly country”. This references the rape of a character in Deliverance. I'm giving this 2 marks, one for Chad, and one for him making light of rape in his first line. Chad Factor 3,4

Honestly, another point just for Chad's pale blue polo shirt. Christ. Chad Factor 6

We get our first scene from our protagonist's perspective now. Don't get me wrong, I love Tucker and Dale, they're great, but the ogling college girls when they're at least in their late 20s is...not a good look, my dudes. Chad Factor 7 

It's not exactly a Chad moment, but picking up a scythe as you head over to talk to a girl? Also not a good look, Dale. Chad jumps in and makes exaggerated fighting hands at Dale, and orders everyone into the truck, THAT is a Chad moment. Chad Factor 8

We're driving with Tucker and Dale now, and we're set up for a gay joke because of the awkward position cleaning beer and for some reason Dale's shirt is open? Not cool. Chad Factor 10 

Officer doesn't give them shit for this apparent blowjob he interrupted, not great that he isn't ticketing the dangerous driving, but I appreciate the lack of homophobic comment. Chad Factor 9. 

“There ain't nothing up there but pain and suffering on a scale you can't even imagine” Nice Harbinger awkward comedy moment!

Chad in this movie really is the epitome of Chad. He butts in over his friend trying to tell a story and says “You fuckers wanna hear a REAL story?” Chad Factor 10 

Chad's story is about how a bunch of rural folks killed a bunch of teens...for fun? Turns out to be true, even if he doesn't know the full story. Still not great.

Everyone is skinny dipping, and Allison is getting ready. Chad knocks on the window and shouts to scare Allison...with an axe in hand? Chad Factor 12 He started the conversation with a scare, only to flirt and try to push himself on her. Chad Factor 13

We're now at the lake, where Tucker and Dale are night fishing and the kids are swimming. Allison is getting undressed on a rock (odd choice). Tucker is ogling her, Dale is upset about it, and their ruckus startles her and causes her to fall as a result. Chad Factor 16 for Tucker. Dale is a GOOD BOY. Hides his eyes so he doesn't see Allison get undressed. Chad Factor 15

So Tucker and Dale saved Allison from drowning, and her friends ran off, so they took her to the cabin to make sure she's okay. APPARENTLY Chuck saw one of them “eating her face off”. Did you though, Chuck? Did you? Chad Factor 19

Dale brings Allison eggs and bacon, and he picked flowers to put on the breakfast tray. So cute. Chad Factor 18 Regarding her friends running away he says: “Don't be mad at them, some people just aren't good in a crisis.” Dale is for real too sweet and I love him. Chad Factor 17

Cut back to the college kids for a moment, Chad: “Just shut up and walk, bitch.” Fuck off Chad. Chad Factor 18

The movie hinges on hilarious and deadly misunderstanding, and it does it so well. The bees and the chainsaw scene is so well done. Can't Chad it though, guy runs at you with a chainsaw, you RUN.

The moment of realization on the impaled kid's face when the bee lands on his nose is so good, but I wonder if it's too subtle for this movie? Still great.

While Dale and Allison are playing Trivia, she says: “There's a difference between education and intellect.” A scene where a big guy admits he's not book smart and the vulnerability is handled well? Well shit. ARE YOU WATCHING MOVIE MAKING PEOPLE? Chad Factor 17 “Dreams are not stupid.” DALE. PLEASE. KILLING ME, BUD. Chad Factor 16

Meanwhile, Chad smashes his friend’s phone with a hatchet because...it doesn't work in the woods? That makes sense, asshole. Chad Factor 17 He then throws the axe at a tree, narrowly missing his friend, just to...show off? Chad Factor 18

Allison comes outside to help Dale dig. Ah Dale, staring at her with mouth agape is a bit creepy. I know you're not, but it reads bad, my dude. Chad Factor 19 Same goes for being surprised that she can swing a pickaxe. Chad Factor 20 Her friends think he's making her dig her own grave, but it doesn't look like it. She's just digging. Chad Factor 21

Just a moment to say, “Hidey-ho officer, we have had a doozy of a day”. Kills me every time.

One of the kids trashes her friend for wearing “stripper shoes”. Mocking your friend by inferring she's a sex worker, even if you don't mean it, is shitty. Sex work is not immoral. A stripper is likely much more worldly than you, college kid. Chad Factor 22 

Chad says that there are no rules in the woods and it's “us against them” and if his friends can't handle that, maybe they deserve to die. What can say? Chad Factor 24

Not sure that a couple of Black kids would run towards the sound of a cop car. For once Chad makes a valid point, the cops probably aren't going to help. Again, not a Chad Factor, but merits note.

Skipping forward to the shootout scene, Dale telling the guy that he needs to take the safety off is adorable and hilarious, as in the resulting accident. Chad Factor 23 Chad immediately picks up the gun and starts shooting (you're a shit shot, and also how many rounds does that thing have anyway?) Chad Factor 24

Tucker and Dale's exchange about who is at fault becoming “....you don't like fishing?” is adorable and I love it. Very wholesome. Chad Factor 23

Chad threatening to kill the dog, Jangers, is one of the worst offenses in the movie. Chad Factor 24 Followed by: “If you kill my dog I swear...I'll get really really mad” as he's practically crying. Dale. Chad Factor 23

They capture Tucker and hang him upside down from a tree, and Chad tells him he stinks? Low Chad. Chad Factor 24 Also cuts his fucking bowling fingers off dude! Fuck youuuu. Chad Factor 25

Allison wakes up and asks Dale what happened. He cries and she comforts him. Normalizing guys crying when they're sad and afraid is soooo gooooood. Chad Factor 24 Allison shows her privilege in thinking that there must be a mistake that she can fix by just talking to her friends after hearing someone shout “die hillbilly!” Chad Factor 25

Dale sets out to save Tucker, Putting Tucker's hat over his own to give it to him is a very nice non-toxic bro moment. Chad Factor 24

Later on, the kids sneak into the cabin and Chad says “this is where evil lives”. Fuck you, Chad. Chad Factor 25 He then proceeds to say they need to “burn it to the ground” but WHY? Even if they were evil, what would that achieve? Chad Factor 26 Don't just touch her face like that, you're barely even friends. Creepo. Chad Factor 27 Stockholm Syndrome. Fuck off with that. Chad Factor 28

Chad jumps straight to “you're falling in love with them” when Allison hasn't actually said anything to that effect? Asshat. Chad Factor 29 Not only that but he goes from “we're here to rescue you” to threatening her with your axe? Chad Factor 30 “Eat shit, body perm” is exactly the thing to say.

We now have a mediation here. In a horror movie. This is gold. Chad Factor 29

That's an intense backstory, Chad...but you're just trying to kill innocents out of blind vengeful rage? Best count yourself lucky that all the descendants of people murdered by white boys like you aren't trying to take their pound of flesh from you, Chad. Chad Factor 30

The other kids come along and the guy says “Chad said to come in guns blazing after 15 minutes” and “Damnit woman, don't argue with me” Chad Factor 30,31

Dale leads in with “I'm sorry about your family.” Even after all this, he's trying to sympathize with murder Chad. Good guy Dale. Chad Factor 30 “It may not have been you, but it was definitely your kind” excuse me while I puke forever about that statement. Chad Factor 31

Guy charges in with zero facts and ends up shredding his friends face. Chad Factor 32 Chad immediately tries to kill Dale and hits Allison when she tries to stop him. Chad Factor 33 Chad throws a lantern at Tucker and Dale and burns his friend alive. Chad Factor 34 It's bullshit that the PoC have the most painful deaths in the movie, as is so common. Chad Factor 35

Chad's friend is horribly wounded. She asks for help, and he says, “Get off me, you nasty bitch.” Great. Chad Factor 36

In the aftermath of the cabin exploding and all the drama, Dale is sure to encourage Allison that she did a great job in trying to mediate. Chad Factor 35 

Tucker admits he's been a jerk and was just jealous. More men admitting fault like this please. Chad Factor 34 I very much appreciate people trusting the animal for a change. JANGERS IS A GOOD BOY AND HE WILL HELP. Chad Factor 33

Chad has Allison tied up. “I'm willing to forgive you, but you're gonna have to beg” FUCK OFF CHAD. Chad Factor 34 Face lick is always ultimate gross. Chad Factor 35 You're gonna cut her in two because she rejected you. Fuuuuck you bruh. Chad Factor 36 I'm knocking off a point just for “Bring it, frat bitch.” Chad Factor 35 

Chad is most disturbed by the fact that his dad was from a rural area than by anything else that has happened in this movie. Chad Factor 36 Dale is smart and uses Chamomile tea to fuck with Chad's allergies. I appreciate this brains over brawn approach. Chad Factor 35

In the closing scene, we have a date. It's cute and all, but BJ knocks a girl out and the exchange between Dale and Allison is: “Should we go help her?” “Whatever”. Not sure what they wanted us to take from that but it does end on a very slight bum note. Doesn't change how much I love this movie, but it is the final point. Chad Factor 36

There we have it! Final Chad Factor: 36

This movie is an excellent example of flipping stereotypes, questioning biases, and still having a ton of fun. Don't let anyone tell you that being kind is a buzzkill. Those people are assholes. 

One last note: the credit song, I Dug My Grave by Mass Undergoe, is a delightful dose of '00s rock. Definitely worth sticking around for!

Article by Dan Sexton-Riley

Socials: @dansextonriley

Website: dansextonriley.com

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