-Written by Kyle Bain.
2025 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
After a drunk-driving accident, Rayna’s (Blu Hunt) jaw is wired shut, and after suffering for weeks, she’s ready to go out again and spend time with her friends. Her condition is less than ideal, but she’s determined to power through the challenges that the long night will continue to pose. Lockjaw is Rayna’s attempt at redemption; but will she ever achieve that?
Categorized by Slamdance as a comedy, that’s not at all what I got in Lockjaw. Being miscategorized was something of a hindrance, however, I found the film compelling nevertheless. There are certainly moments of whimsicality that lend themselves to an intended comedy–but I’m not sure that Lockjaw ever truly crosses the line into a full-fledged comedy. The sometimes playful tone stems from the score that engulfs each of these characters, particularly Rayna. There’s something charming about her that extends itself from start to finish, and being complimented by the score allows this aspect of her to come out even more.
Rayna’s charming nature, and the fanciful and often fun score create a more relaxed ambiance amidst an interestingly more dramatic film. Intensity exists in every cavern and crevice of this narrative, expressing something that feels all too familiar (in a good way). Rayna is suffering, ultimately because of her own mistakes, but suffering nonetheless. Lockjaw sees her struggling to regain some semblance of control in her life, though often met by eccentric characters and unforeseen hurdles. Lockjaw is in many ways a coming-of-age story, as this young adult tries to reinvent herself, becoming better than before. While there are some laughable characters, I do believe that in the grand scheme of this narrative they work to propel this story and develop an acceptable structure that allows it to flourish in many ways.
It’s not often that a “comedy” is met with harrowing darkness that fills the screen and brings with it a dark, heavy tone. Lockjaw, even in the more whimsical moments, adopts this use of darkness, however. The weight of what exists around Rayna is present in each and every moment, even the intended comedic ones. The intensity and strength of her debilitating situation greatly outweighs the more lighthearted moments, presenting viewers with something visceral and accessible throughout.
While I believe that so many aspects of Lockjaw work, I can’t help but think, again, that this film is meant to be a comedy. Does the fact that Writer-Director Sabrina Greco achieves something wonderful, but not in the way she intended make this film a failure? To some degree I do believe that Greco has failed to achieve what she set out to accomplish. On the other hand, Lockjaw is a touching film with spectacular cinematic elements that heighten the intensity and help to develop a narrative that is touching and wonderfully human. There’s this tug-of-war in my mind trying to determine which thought is most prominent, whether or not Greco was ultimately successful in her quest.
Honestly, Lockjaw is ultimately a failure, incapable of delivering what it seemingly set out to–but it’s a wonderful film nonetheless. So, is it both a great film and a failure wrapped up in one? It most certainly is–and the fact that it fails to deliver as a comedy is possibly the best thing for it. While there is certainly comedy present in Lockjaw, it’s so incredibly subtle that the drama present in Rayna’s story becomes the most prominent aspect of the narrative. Lockjaw is fun, but equally frustrating in some spectacular ways.
Written & Directed by Sabrina Greco.
Starring Blu Hunt, Colin Burgess, Kevin Grossman, Nick Corirossi, Ally Davis, etc.
8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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