The year 2023 has seen a surge in Corporate Origin Story movies, with titles like “Air,” “Blackberry,” “Tetris,” “The Beanie Bubble,” and “Flamin’ Hot” hitting the screens. However, the latest addition to this genre, Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix movie “Unfrosted,” has been met with harsh criticism.
Despite Seinfeld’s comedic background, “Unfrosted” has been described as astonishingly unfunny, deeply weird, and almost like a horror movie by critics. The film, directed and written by Seinfeld himself along with Spike Feresten, Andy Robin, and Barry Marder, runs for 96 minutes and is rated PG-13 for suggestive references and language.
Based on the birth of Pop-Tarts, “Unfrosted” only includes about 5% of the actual story. The movie follows Bob Cabana, a Kellogg’s executive, and his involvement in the Breakfast Race between Kellogg’s and Post, with appearances from historical figures like President John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev.
Notable elements of the film include branding icons like Tony the Tiger and Snap, Crackle, and Pop portrayed as living embodiments of their brands. The movie also features interactions with characters from different fields like Steve Schwinn, Jack LaLanne, and Harold von Braunhunt.
However, “Unfrosted” has faced criticism for its humor, with jokes falling flat and insensitive references to historical events. The film has been labeled as one of the worst of the decade and includes an extended sequence satirizing the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Despite its star-studded cast and intriguing premise, “Unfrosted” seems to have missed the mark with audiences and critics alike, cementing its place as a controversial entry in the world of Corporate Origin Story movies.
