Crust is such a delightful film! Sean Whalen has written a unique, creative story, and his directorial debut feels like an instant cult classic.
Paul/Vegas Winters, a former child star, now spends his days attending a laundromat. While wallowing in self pity, Paul habitually wipes his various bodily fluids onto socks, tossing them in a pile. After a viral video makes his whereabouts known, he becomes the laughingstock of town.
Fed up with the humiliation, fed up with his depression, the pile of socks comes to life to eliminate Paul's enemies; Crust is born!
This film plays with themes of mental health, showing the dark side of depression and anxiety, while wrapped in a fun and quirky premise. I appreciated how relatable the story was -- I'm sure anybody who's dealt with depression can find kinship in Whalen's character. He captures the sense of loneliness and abandonment from one's peers, causing one to latch onto any kind of crutch one can find that offers a reprieve from their depression. And the feeling of betrayal when the few supportive loved ones call out one's crutch for what it is.
Whether Crust is a benevolent or malignant force, it is clear the creature inspires confidence in Paul and sparks life in the previously empty soul.
I truly enjoyed this film. The supporting cast of Rebekah Kennedy as the love interest who sees Paul's true light, and Daniel Roebuck as the best friend who causes Paul as much grief as he does joy, were a perfect counterbalance for Whalen's heartfelt story.
Very excited to see what other gems come out of Sean Whalen's mind.
