“Scared Shitless” follows a dad and his germophobic son who are forced to get their hands dirty to save the residents of an apartment building, when a genetically engineered, blood-thirsty creature escapes into the plumbing system.

A Brisk Opening That Sets the Tone

With just a 77-minute runtime, the film wastes no time moving into its central plot. After brief introductions to the characters, it’s all gas and no brakes. 

In a quick and snappy opening scene, “Scared Shitless” sets the tone for what kind of movie it’s going to be. Right off the bat, it features quirky performances, zany visuals and a score that feels straight from the 80s. It’s a throwback aesthetic that immediately lets the audience know not to take anything too seriously.

Director Vivieno Caldinelli said, “From the opening frame to the post credits tease, the overall vision of ‘Scared Shitless’ is a contemporary spin on the classic ‘monster in the house’ horror genre that oozes 80s and 90s VHS shocker.” 

That statement isn’t just talk – the movie really does embody that spirit, and it does so proudly.

The film introduces Don (Steven Ogg) and Sonny (Daniel Doheny), who immediately have electric chemistry. Their father-son dynamic is believable, largely thanks to Ogg’s nonchalant presence and Doheny’s consistently anxious charm. Because they’re so different, Ogg and Doheny are able to go back-and-forth for effortless comedy. Even when the horror is minimal, the movie is just as enjoyable because of their banter. 

Another standout performance comes from Chelsea Clark (Patricia), who grounds the pair in just enough reality to keep the story from veering into total farce. 

Balancing Laughs With Monster Mayhem

While the central focus is these three characters, “Scared Shitless” also goes through an array of “disposables.” These individuals aren’t an important part of the central storyline, but that doesn’t make them unremarkable. The film manages to introduce each new character with an over-the-top gag that makes their fateful moment all the more hilarious. 

The humor isn’t one-toned either. “Scared Shitless” dives into an array of visual gags, with editing and transitions that often become part of the comedy.

Amidst all the jokes, “Scared Shitless” still has some genuinely intense moments. In one scene a character is yelling “Meatloaf” and the next a monster is going on a gore-filled rampage. It is able to seamlessly switch between these tones with minimal miscues in the process.

Practical effects shine in these moments, bringing this “toilet creature feature” to life. For a low-budget indie release, the carnage candy – albeit brief – is a lot of fun. These effects aren’t always perfect, but “fun” is the key word. “Scared Shitless” appears to have horror fans in mind in almost everything that it attempts, with these effects included.

There is some CGI utilized in the movie, which can be slightly distracting from the otherwise impressive practical work. The low budget of “Scared Shitless” certainly shows in these moments, but it doesn’t take away from its creativity. The contrast between the tactile gore and occasionally cartoonish digital effects can be jarring, but it also adds to the movie’s “anything goes” personality.

A Messy But Memorable Finale

“Scared Shitless” does a solid job of balancing joke-filled and serious moments. It’s oftentimes too silly for its own good, but the great thing is… it knows this. The film leans into cheesiness in virtually every aspect, giving it a nostalgic feel that lingers until the very end.

With such a short runtime, the film isn’t able to fully dive into all of its ideas and themes, however. The plot itself is reminiscent of past horror movies, and is fairly straightforward. In the movie’s most dramatic moments, the characters oftentimes aren’t given enough time to breathe, meaning the audience never gets to fully feel the weight of the situation.

This is especially apparent in the final act, as the film overrides its emotional aspect for a more generic horror-comedy conclusion. It’s undoubtedly an exhilarating ending, but more could have been done to maintain the same balancing of tones that the first two-thirds of the movie had. 

The ending itself also feels rushed, as it doesn’t have the “big battle” that you’d come to expect. It is a satisfying ending for the characters, however, which gives the movie a conclusion fit for its overall tone… and budget. Instead of a grand showdown, we get a final wink.

Caldinelli makes the most of the single-location concept, turning a confined apartment building into a variety of fun set pieces. This, mixed with the writing of Brandon Cohen and the FX work from Steven Kostanski, leads to a surprisingly polished experience.

“Scared Shitless” is a classic monster flick that indie horror fans will be sure to enjoy. Helmed by an energetic performance from Ogg and creative directing from Caldinelli, the film finds its niche. It’s funny and gory – often at the same time. It may not reinvent the creature feature, but it squeezes every last drop of fun out of the formula.

Rating: 4 out of 5