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Slamdance Reviews: Cory Santilli ‘s Horror-Comedy ‘In The Mouth’ meshes Absurdity with Psychological Depth
Cory Santilli ‘s In The Mouth blends psychological suspense and horror with deadpan comedy, crafting a film that explores themes of isolation and fear through an absurdist lens. Santilli’s film focuses on a man trapped in his home by a giant version of himself emerging from his lawn. This premise could easily devolve into a self-indulgent metaphor, but Santilli grounds the bizarre on a foundation of mundane reality, creating a captivating dynamic.
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The film is notably captured in black and white, which accents the colorless mental state of the protagonist. Much of the camera work employs tight framing. transforming a typical suburban house into an incubator for angst. While Santilli wastes no time in establishing the bizarre, he uses restraint in visual effects, allowing audiences to ease into the story as the absurdity builds.
Two notable strengths of the film are its consistent pacing and strong character creation. Instead of focusing on the psychological interplay between Merl, our agoraphobic protagonist, and his mysterious new roommate Larry, the story progresses organically as their dynamic steadily unfolds in layers. Not only do the characters have depth but so does the relationship that they develop.
The production design is an integral part of the story with the house becoming a character in itself, reflecting Merl’s simplistic desires, while clever blocking and camera placement enhance the agoraphobic vibe.
Sound design plays a key role in the production as well. The seemingly organic ambient noises create a sense of unease while the muffled sound from the giant outside adds an ominous reminder of the looming giant even when it’s not visually in the frame. Santilli’s use of suggestion over explicit revelation is a successful storytelling device throughout the film.
Cory Santilli ‘s Horror-Comedy ‘In The Mouth’ meshes Absurdity with Psychological Depth Slamdance Reviews
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As for the performances, the two leads deliver characterizations that lure audiences into the absurd with consistent immersion. Their interactions maintain a delicate balance of realism, comedy and menace, with neither actor overplaying their hand even as the situation grows increasingly tense.
The script’s tight structure keeps the conflicts piling up while relying less on explanatory dialogue and more on actions and scenes to move the plot forward. This serves the absurdist film well, leaving enough ambiguity to fuel thought-provoking moments without frustrating audiences.
The third act takes some bold risks that mostly pay off, though some viewers might find the conclusion more enigmatic than satisfying. However, this choice invites audiences to have a deeper experience with the character’s mental state and tends to remind us that real life is also untidy and ambiguous.