BUZZKILL!
When faced with a viciously psychotic maniac from her past, a young woman realizes there’s a lot more than just overdue charges standing between her and a quiet night of reading.
- Producer
Oliver Staley - Writer
Nich Vu - Director
Nich Vu - Cinematographer
Nich Vu - Editor
Nich Vu - Actors
Maxx Franklin, Sam DiGiorgio, Gabby Linsky
Rough Start, Raw Finish
Starts off rough. Static shot of a character sitting and reading? Phone rings? Not the most gripping opener. The conversation early on is kinda flat, and the “friend’s phone acting” is a little too over the top, bordering on hammy. Then bam — great transition into full-on grindhouse horror mode. Suddenly the aesthetic clicks, and the villain’s performance is next-level. It really grows on you. There’s real edge here — with social commentary mixed in, making it more than just a revenge flick. Wild digital FX keep things raw and scary, with a funny ending to cap it off. You can tell the filmmaker’s a fan of the Rob Zombie aesthetic — and that passion shines through.
Saw Through
Well shot. Tone very good. Action scenes realistic, creative well performed. Set up was bit confusing.
Gritty, Bold, and A Love Letter to Grindhouse
This film takes a moment to get going — the opening could be clearer. From the first frame, I wanted a stronger sense of what I was watching. The book setup, in particular, was a bit confusing. Is she returning it to a friend? To the library? And why at night? It’s a small detail, but clarity matters when setting the stage. That said — once the film gets going, it really clicks in. Wonderfully grimy, intense, and packed with style. The setup with the creepy guy is classic but well-executed, and the visual tone finds its footing fast. The whole piece feels like it was made by someone who truly loves grindhouse cinema, and that passion shows in every frame. The villain is genuinely scary — threatening, grounded, and (importantly) culturally relevant. The way the story turns is effective and surprising. Great shot selection, confident direction, and a smart use of VFX to heighten the threat without overdoing it. This film leans all the way into genre — and that’s a strength. You use the full cinematic toolbox here: lighting, sound, editing, performance, and tone are all working in sync to create a really compelling and unsettling experience. It won’t be for everyone — it’s a little too specific and gritty for some tastes — but for those of us who like this kind of thing, it’s executed really well. My only lingering issue is with the book-as-macguffin. It sets up a tone and direction that the film doesn’t ultimately follow. A stronger or more symbolically resonant object might make the story feel tighter overall. Still, this is confident, stylish work.
Buzzkill!!!!!
This is a unique story with a unique way of filming and filters. Kind of reminds me of Tarantino. Story was a little plain. Problem with weapons here.
BUZZKILL!
Effective use of Color Grading, really nice camera work. Acting was good. I felt more of a Quentin Tarantino style with a mix of Sin City. overall this was a fun short