In our new world where big budget blockbusters dominate the theatrical landscape, Crust, the 2024 indie horror-comedy written and directed by Sean Whalen (Twister), stands out as a delightful anomaly. Featuring a cast of relatively unknown actors and a limited budget, the film is a testament to the power of passion over money. While the film’s technical shortcomings are undeniable, what Crust lacks in resources it more than makes up for in charm and heart. It is a film where almost every flaw becomes part of its character, and, in many ways, this rough-around-the-edges quality is the key to its heartbeat.
At its most stripped down, Crust is a love letter to the horror-comedy genre, but it’s so much more than that. It is also an exploration of the struggles faced by down-and-out actors trying to find meaning in their life after the industry that made them has forgotten them. The plot centers on a former child TV star, played by Sean Whalen, who, struggling with the realities of fading fame, becomes entangled in a bizarre series of events involving a demonic pile of discarded socks that comes to life. It’s quirky, it’s absurd, and it never once takes itself too seriously, which is perhaps its appeal.
To wit, the film takes place entirely in a laundromat, its owner, Vegas (Whalen), drinks his days away, finds an endless amount of forgotten or displaced socks and cries himself to sleep. As Vegas’s depression spirals, the pile of socks gets larger and more unwieldy. He sneezes into the socks, cleans up spills, and yes, jerks off into them which leads to . . . crust (ew). This manifestation of his fears, passions, and depression becomes a living monster, devouring those who oppose him and eventually consuming him.
One of the best qualities of Crust is its cast of mostly inexperienced actors at the center. Whalen, who had a career of ups and downs with notable roles in films like Twister (1996), and the cult horror films like The People Under the Stairs (1991) and Laid to Rest (2009), delivers a performance that feels both self-aware and incredibly earnest in its portrayal of a has-been actor trying to recon with his life that has faded into obscurity. His performance isn’t perfect, there are moments when his line delivery feels stilted or overly theatrical, but it rides this line of absurd that the film leans into well. Rather than being a distraction, the lack of professional “polish” injects the film with an infectious energy, as if the cast and crew are reveling in the absurdity. The female lead, Rebekah Kennedy (To the Bone), who started off as a stage actress, seems to be leaning into those qualities, whether it’s the single location or the staging of the actors, and it really works.
The supporting performances, too, echo this sense of enthusiasm. Aside from a few who are notably, distractingly bad, it almost feels like the universe within the film is filled with these kinds of characters. Whalen’s decision to include some of his Twister cast mates, including Alan Ruck (who steals more than a few scenes) and Wendle Josepher, creates a meta layer that is both amusing and poignant. The actors, who were once part of a major Hollywood hit, now find themselves in this much smaller, quirkier project. The meta-commentary, though not overtly heavy-handed, adds an additional layer of depth to Crust if you’re familiar with Whalen’s career. It isn’t just a film about a demonic cum sock, the film offers a rather bittersweet reflection on the fleeting nature of fame, and what happens when the lights of success dim. It’s a story that feels both personal to Whalen and universal in its message. It’s also a meditation on the fragility of fame, the passage of time, and the difficulty of finding redemption and love.
Despite the obvious budget constraints, Crust exudes a surprising level of heart and soul. Yes, the effects are occasionally rough, and the pacing sometimes feels uneven, but none of these issues detract from the film’s overall appeal. When Vegas interacts with the various characters that come in and out of his life and the laundromat, it’s done so in an almost dreamlike quality, with Vegas having vivid daydreams quite often.
Watching the crew find ways to bring the absurd premise to life is half the fun, the result is a film that feels less like a polished product and more like a labor of love. There’s an infectious quality to the way Crust unfolds, there is this energy that seeps into the performances, the writing, and even the quirky special effects. The film is filled with a passion that is impossible to fake. Its embracing of the absurd is super fun, and, in the end, when the corruption of power takes over, it shows that it may have been better to live a simple life under the radar.
There is enough of a conversation here to engage with, often in unexpected, deeper ways. It’s an imperfect film, but it’s also one that resonates with a heartfelt authenticity. If you’re willing to overlook some of its technical flaws, Crust will surprise you with its charm, its wit, and the devious little soul at its core. It’s a celebration of creativity. It may not be the next big thing, but it’s undeniably a film worth rooting for.
Crust Special Features:
- Commentary with Writer / Director / Star Sean Whalen
- Dorothy: 50 Years Later
- Dorothy: The Bump And Run
- Q&A from CRUST Los Angeles Premiere
Available on Blu-ray and DVD December 10th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Anchor Bay Entertainment Crust webpage.
To purchase, head to the official MVD Entertainment Group Crust webpage.
Final Score: 3 out of 5.
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Categories: Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews
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