Y2K Trailer: The Millennium Bug Triggers The Apocalypse In A24 Horror-Comedy

It’s a wonder nobody’s done it already: an apocalyptic horror-comedy, based around the idea of the Millennium Bug. For anyone too young to remember the furore around ‘Y2K’, the general idea was this: a major computer error was predicted to hit the world’s computer systems on the dawn of the millennium, since the two-digit year-date system (‘99’, for instance) in older computing models would suddenly flick over to ‘00’. Cue world-ending mayhem. Thankfully, as we now know, nothing happened – though opinion is still divided on whether that’s as a result of hasty bug fixes implemented in the run-up to the year 2000, or whether reports of an impending crash were simply over-exaggerated. Either way, it’s ripe for cinematic treatment – and that’s exactly what you’ll find in A24’s impending Y2K. Watch the trailer here.

From SNL alumnus – and the filmmaker behind cult favourite Brigsby Bear – Kyle Mooney, Y2K sees a group of kids hoping that the ultimate New Year’s Eve will bring all the most exciting (and terrifying) parts of adolescence: kissing, partying, and everything in between. Except, then the Millennium Bug causes a machine apocalypse, and soon the survivors are facing the end of the world. Bummer. With death by Tamagotchi and low-flying VHS tapes, this one looks like an inventive, no-holds-barred genre ride – sure to appeal to Millennials and Gen-Xers who vividly remember that Year 2000 countdown. And, in a cross-generational mash-up, it’s a bunch of Gen-Z stars leading the cast of hedonistic ‘99ers: Rachel Zegler, Hunt For The Wilderpeople’s Julian Dennison, and IT’s Jaeden Martell. Want to feel really old? The mum here is played by Clueless icon Alicia Silverstone. Maybe the robots should just take us out after all.

Given this is A24, it’s unknown yet when Y2K will end up on UK screens. American audiences can catch it in cinemas from 6 December. Stay tuned for information on a distributor here as we get it – fingers crossed it arrives before the dawn of the new year.