POP, Vanity and Horror

What happens when the L.A. body image culture meets 1970s sexploitation? Nirvana...at least as far as this blog goes. Beautiful women and tentacled creatures converge in what is bound to satisfy the fetishes of every businessman in Tokyo (if you have to ask...never mind). "POP" will premier on Amazon Prime Video on October 19th and will have you moaning in disgust and revulsion (in a good way for you horror fans) as what unfolds on the silver screen will be nightmarish and in some sense, familiar.

Renee (Chloe Farnworth) is a stoned slacker who can manipulate a bong with ease. She's beautiful...actually, she would be beautiful if it wasn't for her disgusting zits. As the film progresses, the zits on her face get more disgusting (there is that word again). We get to watch her try to pop them. Despite her zits, the otherwise sultry blonde has a collection of boy toys for a hefty supply of pre-marital sex and illegal drug use.

Vanity is a main topic of conversation with Renee and her main GF Heather (Kasia Szarek). Heather calls attention to her complexion and Renee fires back with reference to Heather's anorexia. Something deeper than a blackhead is happening here. The physical imperfections are minor as compared to the  empty and hopeless existences lives these ladies are leading and their impending futures. No depth...no compassion...no love for anything meaningful, the zits are quite symbolic of Renee's plight. Even a fix of this problem would still leave Renee...well...in a bad place. Then it happens. A cure? What if the cure leads to horrors unimaginable. In an H.P. Lovecraft type of scenario, a monstrous and disgusting (am I getting superfluous?) reveal awaits.

Comedic, biting irony, and horrific scenes make this 15 minute horror short a brilliant commentary on a culture so focused on appearance, and void of humanity. Ms. Farnworth is spectacular as she must be hideous and sultry in the same film. Kudos to director and writer J. Spencer, as he masterfully blends the comedy, horror, and social commentary into a 15 minute short. "POP" is a great fable on a growing American subculture and should be heeded as a warning to where our civilization could end up if we eschew compassion and humanity.