‘Fck’n Nuts’ Review – Short n Nuts!
Some individuals may dread encounters with ghosts, demons, and monsters, but for many, the fear of introducing their partner to their parents or meeting their partner’s parents is a far more palpable fear. Writer and director Sam Fox astutely harnesses this relatable concern into a spine-tingling short story, complete with an unexpected twist, in the 2023 film ‘Fck’n Nuts’
The film kicks off with a foggy independent house, its rooms softly illuminated by neon lights, while eerie synth-pop music sets the tone in the background—a soundscape that will instantly evoke thoughts of “Stranger Things” or the works of Panos Cosmatos. Maddie Nichols takes on the role of Sandy, the story’s central character, a young woman grappling with anxiety and is desperate to end her relationship before her boyfriend meets her parents. However, her plans are disrupted when he unexpectedly shows up at her doorstep, entirely unprepared for what’s about to unfold.
Sandy’s introductory scene is a burst of vivid pink hues, she is dressed in pink, with a pink headband, pink bedsheets, pink pillow, even her telephone is light pink in shade. The nostalgic neon visual that draws you deeper into the narrative. For a brief minute, the cinematography remind you of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” with its pink wonderland symbolizing happiness and perfection. However, in ‘Fck’n Nuts,’ Sam Fox cleverly subverts the typical positive connotations of the colour pink. Sandy may be adorned in pink from head to toe, but she is seconds way from a nervous breakdown and soon enough, we learn why.
Vincent Stalba plays Sandy’s excessively enthusiastic boyfriend, Dan, who remains determined to meet her parents, despite her persistent warnings about them being “Fck’n Nuts.” There’s an unsettling quality about Dan, and his interactions with Sandy consistently leave viewers on edge, uncertain about what might transpire next. Throughout the film’s ten-minute duration, an eerie and ominous atmosphere looms, supported by the use of classic horror elements like a dishevelled, decrepit house.
The moments leading up to the climax take on a deliberately exaggerated, campy tone, reminiscent of 90s horror films, while a chilling and unexpected twist brings this neon-fueled tale to a striking conclusion. The ending is simultaneously grotesque and absurd, yet it harmoniously aligns with the film’s overarching theme. Maddie Nichols injects a dose of authenticity into this zany narrative with her heartfelt portrayal of Sandy, a woman whose apprehensions about her parents are entirely justified. In ‘Fck’n Nuts,’ the concept of “meeting the parents” is transformed into a metaphorical nightmare, blending humour and horror in a creepy cinematic thrill.
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