'Lockjaw' Review
Release Date: 09/08/26 [VOD]
Genre: Comedy.
MPAA: Not Rated.
Distributor: Magenta Edge Films.
The Verdict: A Maybe
Lockjaw is a cringe-fest. That doesn’t mean it’s a poorly made film; on the contrary, it’s clearly been made with care and a vision by writer/director/editor Sabrina Greco. I found the film entertaining and also found myself thinking about it the next day, which is always a good sign.
But it’s certainly a daring choice to have your lead actress, in this case an outstanding Blu Hunt, unable to open her mouth or speak intelligibly for the entire film. Hunt plays Rayna, a chaos gremlin of the highest order. We’ve all had friends like this in college, so it’s not that surprising when the film begins with her on a drunken night out that results in a car accident and needing to have her jaw wired shut.
Even after that rough start, Rayna continues to make poor choices throughout the film, from friend-zoning the one guy who seems to really care about her (Mitch, played by Colin Burgess) to sneaking alcohol, destroying property, and hitting on a repugnant (and married!) man seemingly out of boredom and a need for attention. Rayna is not the most sympathetic character, but Hunt’s manic and believable performance certainly keeps things interesting for the audience - if only so we can cringe along with her antics.
Rayna is not the only character who will make you feel awkward by proxy. Mitch clearly adores her and continually puts himself in situations with Rayna that can only be described as uncomfortable. As another character tells him: “You’re her rug. She’s walking all over you!”
Because Mitch serves as Rayna’s translator - his devotion to her means he can somehow understand all her gritted-teeth, locked-jaw utterances - the movie falls a bit flat when Mitch finally decides to take off and leave Rayna to her chaotic shenanigans. A few scenes toward the middle/end of the film left me unable to understand a word she said. Stick with it, though - the story has its own odd (and yes, still awkward) form of resolution.
Watch Lockjaw if you miss your chaotic drinking and partying days of yore, or if you like to celebrate indie comedies and woman-helmed films. Hunt’s stellar lead performance alone makes this a party worth attending.
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