Who doesn’t love a good ol’ creature feature? What about a creature feature that takes place in toilets? What if we told you Steven Ogg stars in it? It’s all here in “Scared Shitless,” a Canadian feature that made its world premiere at Montreal’s Fantasia Festival.
Don (Steven Ogg; “The Walking Dead”; “Dark Match,” which ironically also world-premiered on the same night as this film at the same festival) is a plumber who drags along his adult, germaphobe son, Sonny (Daniel Doheny; 2021’s “Brand New Cherry Flavor” and “Day of the Dead” TV series), on a nocturnal visit to an apartment building for a routine plumbing job.
Unbeknownst to them, a destructive and refined creature, bred in a science lab, has escaped and is now scouring the building’s pipes. The father-son duo must team up to resolve this nightmarish plumbing issue, turning their ordinary night into bloody mayhem before this disaster slithers out of control.
Director Vivieno Caldinelli takes the steering wheel of his second comedy-horror feature film, while Brandon Cohen wrote the script for his very first time. The main plot is rather déjà vu and rehashed through the decades, but always makes for a simple-to-understand plot with infinite potential for entertainment.
The dialogue throughout the script is usually light-hearted and funny, though some jokes land better than others. Some of the hilarious secondary characters dispersed throughout that night’s adventure beautifully add to the film’s comical aspect. Caldinelli directs in an entertaining fashion, attempting to avoid extensive lulls and including innovative camera angles to enhance the experience.
One of the film’s major highlights is its use of practical effects, oozing in slimy gooeyness and adding a tangible sense of horror. However, the initial awe of these effects wears off as the film progresses. Additionally, there is some very perceptible CGI that stands out when it appears, though fortunately, it is used sparingly.
Steven Ogg delivers a standout performance, carrying the film on his shoulders with a charismatic and convincing portrayal of the plumber father; he is convincing and authentic in both aspects of the character. He shines far brighter than the rest of the cast, with the others providing decent performances that induce laughter for a moment but don’t step out of Ogg’s shadow. The dynamic between him and his on-screen son brings both humor and heart to the story. Speaking of the cast, look out for a neat little cameo by Julian Richings (“Anything for Jackson”; “Beau is Afraid”).
“Scared Shitless” succeeds as a decent comedy-horror that guarantees a good time. It’s a good old creature feature that doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre. The practical effects’ magic diminishes over time, and the occasional underwhelming CGI is a minor distraction. Even though there are some hit-and-miss jokes, the overall comedic elements help balance the horror.
Caldinelli’s film is a commendable entry into the comedy-horror genre, offering a mix of disgust and laughs that make for an entertaining viewing. While it has its flaws, the film’s star and its effective use of practical effects make it a pleasantly memorable experience without reinventing the wheel of its sub-genre.
“Scared Shitless” receives a score of 3 eyes out of 5.
