{"id":332356,"date":"2025-12-06T16:31:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T16:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/acting\/tapawingo-2025-bully-saga-with-heavy-hitters\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T16:31:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T16:31:17","slug":"tapawingo-2025-bully-saga-with-heavy-hitters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/?p=332356","title":{"rendered":"Tapawingo (2025): Bully Saga With Heavy Hitters"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Dylan K. Narang<\/a> co-writes and directs the 2025 Comedy film Tapawingo<\/strong><\/em>. It is a bully saga with some pretty heavy hitters. Cast-wise this is a dream team of actors who bring impressive \u201cbona fides\u201d to the table. More about that later. *Narang shares writing credit with \u201cstory by\u201d author Brad DeMarea<\/a>. He also reached out to his alma mater before filming started in 2021.*<\/p>\n

Tapawingo Story<\/h2>\n

A quirky \u201coddball\u201d faces a family of town bullies to protect his boss\u2019s son. Cue some weird and wonderful battles and team building (Not in that order.) as Nate steps up. <\/p>\n

The Tapawingo Main Cast<\/h2>\n

Jon Heder<\/a> is Nate Skoog.<\/p>\n

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Jay Pichardo<\/a> is Will Luna.<\/p>\n

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Sawyer Williams<\/a> is Oswalt Eubank.<\/p>\n

\"Tapawingo<\/figure>\n

Billy Zane<\/a> is Stoney Tarwater.<\/p>\n

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Amanda Bearse<\/a> is Ramona Skoog.<\/p>\n

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John Ratzenberger<\/a> is Tom Roan.<\/p>\n

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Gina Gershon<\/a> is Dot. <\/p>\n

\"Tapawingo<\/figure>\n

Kim Matula<\/a> is Gretchen.<\/p>\n

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Kick Arse Cameo<\/h3>\n

Cynthia Dallas<\/a> as June Beach.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Talk Tapawingo<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s address the elephant in the room right off the bat. No, despite the star of the picture, this is not a Napoleon Dynamite<\/em><\/strong> clone. To be fair, this could be Napoleon as a more grown up version of himself. *If one wants to be really pedantic, another Jon Heder film; Plan B<\/em><\/strong> (2024) can be seen as a fully grown Napoleon. One who has lost a lot of his \u201ctics.\u201d*<\/p>\n

While this is not a part 2 of the 2004 lowkey comedy, it does offer the same comedy with a heart storyline. Nate Skoog has a similar \u201cbent\u201d of Napoleon. He is, however, a man versus a teenage boy. Nate does still live at home, but not with a \u201crebel\u201d grandma, he lives with his mum. <\/p>\n

Writer\/director Naranda states:<\/h3>\n
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Ultimately, Tapawingo<\/em> is about trying \u2014 about stepping into a moment you always imagined, even if you feel unprepared. It is about friendship, the courage to leave home, and the strength required to move forward.<\/p>\n

It is comedic, heartfelt, earnest, and personal.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Tapawingo Works<\/h2>\n
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Will, Nate and Oswalt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Naranda hits all his goals. As stated, the film is all about friendship, and courage, to paraphrase like mad here. It is also about other relationships. The one off \u201cfling\u201d with mad as a box of frogs Dot the secretary. Plus the more dangerous romance with Gretchen. The film dares to show that it ain\u2019t just girls who get carried away with \u201cbad boys.\u201d The reverse is also true. <\/p>\n

The film is earnest in its delivery and its performances. It does offer the same sort of \u201csmall town\u201d characters. People who we might not hang with at the old 1970\u2019s\/80\u2019s mall but ones we recognise readily. Those folks, often incorrectly, that are labeled as losers by the small minded. Folks who are just as passionate about their likes and dislikes. <\/p>\n

Nate dislikes bullies. He never says as much, but his actions speak quite clearly. <\/p>\n

All The Rest<\/h2>\n

The cast, as stated in the title and opening paragraph, is full of heavy hitters. Zane, who first came to my notice in the old 1989 film Dead Calm<\/a>, is top of his \u201cclass.\u201d *If you head over to YouTube or Prime, you can rent this masterpiece. A very young Nicole Kidman plays a brilliant part in the film playing opposite Sam Neill and Zane very well.*<\/p>\n

Gershon is a top notch performer who kills whatever she is in. Matula came to my attention in the mockumentary television show UnReal<\/strong><\/em>. She too is top of her game. <\/p>\n

Of course the presence of Bearse (Who kills it in the original Fright Night<\/strong><\/em> film and later in Married\u2026 with Children<\/em><\/strong>.) and Ratzenberger, he of Cheers <\/strong><\/em>fame, makes his smaller role a clear walk in the park. <\/p>\n

Everyone in the film, from young Williams to the Tarwater clan and all the rest, bring their \u201cA Game\u201d to the fore. Tapawingo<\/em><\/strong> may not be everyone\u2019s cup of tea, but I loved it. <\/p>\n

As shot by DP Jarrod Russell<\/a> and edited by Rex M. Teese<\/a> the film looks brilliant. It also looks like the older time period that Naranda mentions as his guiding light. <\/p>\n

The Music<\/h3>\n

Before I go, let\u2019s talk music. It is spot on. Composer Jacob Yoffee<\/a> gives us an eclectic mix of styles and genres. From Shostakovich\u2019s \u201cJazz Suite No. 2: VI. Waltz 2<\/em>\u201d to Quiet Riot\u2019s \u201cCum on Feel the Noize<\/em>\u201d the score fits each scene perfectly. In terms of letting the music fit the film, this is a complete win.<\/p>\n

The Verdict<\/h2>\n

Tapawingo<\/strong><\/em> is a solid 4.75 stars. It loses a quarter star for, admittedly to me, being a tad too like Napoleon Dynamite<\/em><\/strong> for comfort. *That said, I adored old \u201cND\u201d and all who sailed on it. Historically speaking, this remains my favorite film ever recommended by my daughter.* Tapawingo <\/strong><\/em> dropped this week, the first week of December, on Prime where you can rent or purchase the film. I personally recommend this one, it is just this side of lowkey brilliant. You can thank me later. <\/p>\n

The Trailer <\/h2>\n
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