Movie Reviews

‘Flick’ (CIFF Entry) Review – What The Hell Did I Just Watch?!

Synopsis:

A reclusive college student is driven insane after picking a booger he can’t get rid of.

As of October 14th, The 56th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) has begun. Running through October 25th, I have been lucky enough to be granted some virtual screenings, as the entire experience is virtual due to The Rona. This is the fourth of about ten works I viewed that are apart of their ‘After Dark’ series and they all fit perfectly in October. The following film is available as part of Shorts 3: A Creeping Chill (After Dark).

Do you remember that Family Guy episode where Peter picks his nose, attempts to flick the booger off his finger but can’t, which then turns into him rubbing it on Meg’s hat? If not, YouTube it. I’m sure we’ve all had our personal experience with a finger-loving booger that just won’t take the hint. In what sounds like a smoke session conception, what if the reason that you can’t flick what you picked is that it doesn’t want to be flicked? The American short, Flick turns a simple nose excavation into an isolated, anxiety-ridden nightmare. With its score, camerawork, and practical effects, the short takes you out of your comfort zone and doesn’t allow you back in it. It’s intense and grotesque and if you’re not a horror fan or you’re easily grossed out, you can get lost in that. While the story isn’t overtly deep, its depth is relatable to our months of quarantining. Flick is definitely a short film that you want to experience with another person, you need someone else to witness the craziness with you. Overall, while original, it definitely left me with the “what the hell did I just watch” face. Its rewatchability is medium-high.

Plot & Pace

Young college student, Richie has secluded himself inside his room for what seems like many days. Not answering phone calls or cleaning, he spends his time glued to a screen while picking his nose. As the boogers pile up, one peculiar booger decides it’s not going to suffer the same fate as the others. Now, Richie is in a fight for his sanity.

This short ramps up very quickly.