An eye for psychedelic visuals and a keenness for nostalgic horror and gore are driving forces for director Sam Fox whose latest vision, Fck’n Nuts, is currently circulating to make the case. The ten-minute thriller centers on Sandy (Maddie Nichols), a young woman who cowers in the all too-familiar fear of the worst she finds herself forced to re-live when her latest beau of interest, Dan (Vincent Stalba), ignores her vociferous pleadings to not come over and meet the parents.
Insisting that Maddie’s paranoid assertions about her penchants of her mother and father are for naught whilst proclaiming his love for her, the night’s expectations of a prospective meet and greet take an immediate turn for the worse when Dan is finally face to face with the parents. Practical effects and lighting topped with cast performances culminate a round of nightmare fuel as the moment unravels a hazardous reaction for poor Dan in near-cliffhanger fash that recapitulates the movie accordingly.
There’s plenty to take away from Fck’n Nuts if we’re talking hidden messages, among which the biggest one that sticks out to me is the importance of listening to someone if you truly love them. The best part however for me, from the psychotic demon squirrel that greets you at the top of the film and the final shot with rolling credits, is that regardless of whatever your afterthoughts are, Fck’n Nuts is an absurd, over-the-top delight from a director inspired to transcribe her experiences growing up.
Fox, in her third shortfilm endeavor, showcases her ability to handle horror with strong contours, engaging cinematography and oddball characters to comprise its frames. If a discerning show of indie horror and silly, gratutious comedy is what you crave, you’ll enjoy what awaits you in Fck’n Nuts, provided you’re not allergic to a good time.