‘Crust’ Review: An Indie Creature Feature Full Of Heart And Dirty Socks
On paper, a horror movie about a sentient sock monster sounds like something out of a SyFy original movie. But, somehow, writer and director Sean Whalen (known for his role in The People Under The Stairs) makes the concept into a heart-warming, hilarious, and shockingly violent tale about a depressed man and his murderous sock monster, simply titled Crust. Whalen’s directorial debut is a hidden gem that proves his assured voice, style, and sense of humor as a filmmaker.
Whalen also stars in Crust as Vegas Winters, a washed-up child star who now owns, runs, and lives in a laundromat. His days are full of fixing machines, sweeping floors, and dealing with grouchy customers and his best friend Russ (Dan Roebuck) who loves drinking a little too much. Filmed in black and white, the world of Crust reflects Vegas’ perspective on life, one drained of color and excitement.
Enter Crusty.
Brought to life by Vegas’ tears (and his blood, sweat, and semen), Crusty is a vehicle for vengeance, a manifestation of his master’s rage. Anyone who wrongs Vegas better watch out, because this sock monster is ready to swallow you whole. Crusty’s awakening, though, is when things start to spiral. Vegas starts dating Nila (Rebekah Kennedy), the paparazzi show up at the laundromat, a paranormal investigator starts poking around, and his old costar reappears in his life. And that’s only a fraction of the chaos that Whalen throws at us. Needless to say, Crust takes a few wild twists and turns in unpredictable directions. But somehow, it all works.
It’s because Whalen and his team know exactly what kind of film they’re making and throw everything into it, never pulling punches when it comes to kills, plot twists, or bizarre, new characters. But they also never pull punches when hitting emotional beats, especially ones that make you love Vegas but detest his behavior. Whalen deftly captures the experience of becoming the worst version of yourself when you’re depressed. You alienate yourself, snap at anyone who tries to help, and seek out self-destructive behavior to fill the void. Crusty fills that void. But what happens when the bodies start to pile up right outside your laundromat door?
Equally delightful in Crust is Rebekah Kennedy as the cool and confident Nila who slides into Vegas’ life and sees past his gruff exterior. Kennedy has shocked and awed previously in films like Two Witches, known for her ability to play twisted villains or horror victims. But here, she gets to show off a much more grounded side, one that can handle romance and comedy as deftly as a complex death sequence. Whalen gives her room to play and show off her range, and I can’t wait until the horror world showers Kennedy with the love and respect she deserves.
Crusty himself is brought to life through puppetry (built by Erik Porn and controlled by Rachel Burson) and given a series of surprisingly adorable facial expressions that give him a distinct personality you can’t help but love. Even as he decimates anyone who dares wrong Vegas. The use of practical effects is what elevates Crust beyond a cheap idea into something with feeling—Crusty is physically there in the laundromat, crawling and prowling for his next victim.
The biggest issue with Crust is also what I love about it, and that’s its ambition. There are so many ideas, characters, and plot lines, which are all entertaining, but the film ultimately feels a bit too long. There’s a lot of story and I admire that Whalen never limits himself in scope despite working on an indie budget. But perhaps one less storyline would make the film feel more focused and concise. Which I know sounds silly to say about a movie about a sock monster made of bodily fluids. But here we are.
Even during the monster murders, Crust is full of joy. Every actor is having fun and hamming it up, from Whalen, Kennedy, and Roebuck to Felissa Rose and Alan Ruck. This is a movie made by people who love movies and love making movies. You can feel it emanating from every frame. That joy, paired with an incredible puppet and dedicated cast, makes Crust a dark-horse hit that deserves its time in the spotlight. Come for the sock monster, stay for great performances and an incredible sock-themed tribute to Flashdance.
Summary
Sean Whalen’s directorial debut ‘Crust’ is an indie gem full of heart, misfits, and dirty socks.
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