Another world premiere at the 2024 Fantastic Fest was Little Bites. The film was written and directed by Spider One (Bury the Bride, Allegoria), who is more well known as the frontman of Powerman 5000. Little Bites tells the story of a widowed mother. To protect her 10-year-old daughter from harm, the mother has agreed to let a monster hidden in the basement feed on her in a nightmarish, co-dependent relationship.

There is a lot about Little Bites that works very well. While this is a slow burn monster movie, it has a much deeper meaning. Like much of the best horror, the monster and the deal he’s struck with the mother is meant to represent the horrors of being in an abusive, co-dependent relationship. Those relationships are horrific enough in reality, but Spider One takes it to a more frightening, dangerous place by incorporating a monster who is quite literally devouring the protagonist over time. It’s a haunting way to bring the trauma and emotional scars of those relationships to the surface for all to see, especially considering most in those kinds of situations try their hardest to hide the truth. The plot is certainly a slower one, which might not appeal to all audiences, but the slowness seems to be a very intentional choice. The pacing gives Little Bites a very oppressive, smothering feel. It makes the viewer feel like an insect caught in tree sap, gradually being covered by the thick, sticky substance until they suffocate.

Aside from the polarizing pacing of Little Bites, there are certain aspects of the plot that could have been developed further. Most evident is the lore surrounding the monster. While we do eventually learn his name, little else is known about the creature or where he came from. The audience is thrown into the deranged bargain between the mother and the monster when it’s already been going on for a while. Leaving some of this a mystery is completely fine, but not diving into the lore makes certain aspects of the plot a bit confusing. This is most apparent in the final moments of the film which are quite impactful, but leave many lingering, unanswered questions.

There are a number of horror fan favorites in Little Bites, each giving memorable performances. Krsy Fox (Allegoria, Terrifier 3) stars as Mindy, the mother being controlled by the monster. Fox is the one person almost always on screen, and usually alone or with one other person, so the film very much relies on her performance. Fox is wonderful at creating tension and fear in almost every frame simply through a look and her body language. She is completely believable as a mother willing to do anything it takes to protect her child. Jon Sklaroff (Gifted, Captain America: The Winter Soldier) plays Agyar, the monster in the basement. Sklaroff masterfully portrays Agyar in a way that is both feral and elegant, as if the creature was a British noble before he became this thing that lurks in the darkness. Their individual performances are engrossing, but it’s the hate-filled on-screen chemistry when the two are together that ignites the film. Other horror favorites who make an appearance are Barbara Crampton (Jakob’s Wife), Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Chaz Bono (Bury the Bride), Bonnie Aarons (The Nun), and even a cameo by Fangoria’s own Angel Melanson.

In keeping with the often suffocating feel of the film, the visuals in Little Bites add to that claustrophobia. There are many longer takes in the film with the camera being entirely or mostly stationary. Often Fox isn’t even doing much on screen in those shots either. However, the darkness of the home and the anticipation that builds in that silence and stillness adds to the oppressive feel of the film. There is also a lot of soft, warm light used throughout to help create imagery that looks like it could have been filmed in the 1970’s, which is when the film takes place, and allows for the dark shadows to draw the viewer’s eye. Also helping to transport the audience to a different time is the great production and costume design. Yet, the highlight of all the visuals is the stunning practical effects used on both Mindy and Agyar. For Mindy, the practical effects come in the form of wounds and scars all over her body from the numerous times Agyar has fed on her. They look great and show the full range of healing stages. Even the makeup used for Mindy, which creates dark circles under the eyes and pail skin, adds to her character by showing just how exhausted and sickly she is. Agyar has much more elaborate makeup effects and prosthetics to turn the character into a monster from your worst nightmares. While shown primarily in shadow, what the audience does see of the monster makeup is masterfully done, adding to the horror of the film.

Little Bites is a suffocating descent into a monstrous abusive relationship. Spider One has shown that he has the directing skills to tell an atmospheric, heartbreaking story. Yet the script leaves a few too many unanswered questions, especially around the monster lore. Fox carries the emotional weight of the film on her very capable shoulders, and Sklaroff brings to life a truly sinister creature. While the slow pacing and somewhat vague lore will not appeal to all audiences, the dreadful feeling throughout the film and the very human story of a volatile, dangerous relationship makes it worth watching. Little Bites will be available on VOD/digital beginning October 4, 2024.

OVERALL RATING: 6/10