Nash Edgerton’s “Spider” has a cruel sense of humor to it, but one that I loved. It’s definitely reliant on a simple formula, but also very dependent on a chain effect that garners disastrous results in the very end. I was cringing, I was in disbelief, and by the very end I was laughing awkwardly for all the wrong reasons.
Edgerton plays Jack, a young prankster whose gone one step too far with his girlfriend Jill. While driving home, Jack decides that he’s going to make up with Jill by buying a whole lot of treats and gags to win her over. But one gag too many instigates a series of events that unfold that are too spectacular to witness. Truth be told, “Spider” is a tough watch. The special effects and stunt work is spectacular and only serve the movie well as this cringe inducing awkward experience.
Jack is a prankster who gets off on seemingly simple little jokes, but jokes can go too far if we’re not careful. This is what happens when Jack’s gags go one step over the line, and surely enough it just isn’t pretty. Beyond the wonderful effects work, the performances are top notch, particularly from Mirrah Foulkes, while Edgerton really kills it as the mischievous young man whose own sense of humor comes back to bite him two fold. “Spider” is a wonderful and cringe inducing short film and one I highly suggest. I really want to see more from director Edgerton.