A Party, a Promise, and a Spiral

Read Time:4 Minute, 45 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Lockjaw
–

Genre: Comedy
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 20m
Director(s): Sabrina Greco
Writer(s): Sabrina Greco
Cast: Blu Hunt, Colin Burgess, Kevin Grossman, Nick Corirossi, Ally Davis, Sally Sum, Lena Redford, Creston Brown, Alison Sieke, Thomas Spaeter
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: What begins as a night of reconnecting with friends quickly spirals into strained relationships, reckless decisions, and the overwhelming weight of past mistakes. Writer-director Sabrina Greco crafts a debut feature that refuses to offer easy answers; instead, it pulls viewers into a personal and, at times, uncomfortably raw story.

Rayna, played by Blu Hunt, is an absolute highlight at the center. Six weeks after a devastating accident, she’s eager to step back into her old social life, but things are different now. Her jaw is wired shut, a constant reminder of what she’s been through, and she’s promised her new boyfriend, Mitch (Colin Burgess,) that she’ll stay sober. But promises are easier made than kept, especially when frustration and restlessness creep in. What begins as a typical night of party-hopping takes a sharp turn when Rayna and her friends end up at a house owned by Cleo (Ally Davis,) an artist, and Robert (Nick Corirossi,) a magician. From there, the night shifts into something far more charged—where old wounds are reopened, friendships are tested, and Rayna’s struggle to hold it all together becomes harder to ignore.

Greco’s direction keeps the story grounded in an almost unnervingly realistic way. There’s no overblown score telling the audience how to feel, no dramatic reveals or exaggerated plot twists—just human nature unfolding in real time. The film thrives in the small moments, capturing how tension can simmer beneath casual conversations, how the wrong glance can shift the entire tone of a room, and how people can say one thing but mean another entirely. Greco places the audience directly in Rayna’s headspace by keeping the camera close and handheld, making every interaction feel even more immediate.

Hunt’s performance is one of the film’s biggest strengths. She doesn’t rely on dialogue to sell Rayna’s internal battle—she doesn’t have that luxury. Instead, she uses body language, facial expressions, and the kind of simmering frustration that makes her presence felt in every scene. Rayna isn’t the kind of lead that begs for sympathy, but she is compelling, and Hunt makes sure that even when she’s making questionable choices, it’s impossible to look away.

The supporting cast is just as vital in bringing the story to life; each brings something distinct to the party dynamic. Some are enablers, some are exhausted by Rayna’s actions, and others are just caught in the middle. Their chemistry makes their interactions feel authentic, adding to the film’s sense of realism.

The film struggles most with underdeveloped relationships. Rayna and Mitch could have benefited from more depth, as could the presence of Cleo and Robert, whose intriguing roles are not given enough room to breathe. While the film thrives on its character-driven storytelling, some of these side plots feel slightly truncated, leaving some emotional beats less impactful than they could have been.

One of the film’s most striking elements is how it utilizes Rayna’s physical condition as a metaphor for her emotional state. The inability to speak freely mirrors her deeper struggle—she’s fighting to be heard, to regain control, and to prove something to herself and those around her. It’s a strong thematic choice that doesn’t feel forced, allowing the film to explore complex ideas without over-explaining them.

As a directorial debut, LOCKJAW is an impressive first feature. It’s a confident, stripped-down character study that doesn’t rely on big moments to make an impact. Greco proves she has a keen eye for nuance, knowing exactly when to let a scene breathe and when to push the tension higher. While there are a few areas where the story could have gone deeper, what’s here is compelling, well-executed, and an exciting look at what Greco is capable of.

This one delivers for those who enjoy character-driven stories that aren’t afraid to lean into discomfort. It’s an unflinching, intimate look at self-destruction, emotional isolation, and the sometimes messy process of trying to change.

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[photo courtesy of HURLEY/PICKLE PRODUCTIONS, MIRMADE PRODUCTIONS]

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