Almost every couple experiences a lull in their sex life at some point. Writers Corey Moss (Dear Jack, White Elephant) and Jennifer Wolfe (Confessional, You Will See Me) took inspiration from that common experience and crafted a thrilling horror comedy. Directed by Wolfe, Happy Ending follows a couple, Ezra and Brynne, at the breaking point of their relationship. When they try to reinvigorate their sex lives by going to a seedy massage parlor, the couple find themselves in a deadly situation.

Happy Ending is a fascinating, layered look at how differently sex is viewed by men and women. When the couple is first introduced, it’s their anniversary. We watch as they attempt to have an intimate evening together, but both do their own “prep” work beforehand. The night quickly devolves as Brynne feels Ezra isn’t putting in any effort to romance her and Ezra feels Brynne simply doesn’t want to sleep with him. They hear about a massage parlor that offers “happy endings,” even for couples, and decide to give it a whirl in an attempt spice things up. Over the course of the night, both Brynne and Ezra go through dramatic changes as they begin to better understand each other. Yet with dangers lurking behind every door, it’s unclear if they will survive the night. These characters are realistic, well developed, and many audiences will likely relate to Brynne, Ezra, and their journey.

The audience gets to know the girls working at the parlor at the same time as the couple. The three masseuses are at very different points in their lives, but each of them have experienced trauma thanks to the men who view them as objects. It’s a fascinating examination of life as a sex worker and the dangers they likely face all too often. Moss and Wolfe not only created a thought-provoking plot about how transactional sex has become, even among couples, but they also sprinkle in plenty of humor and terror to keep things interesting. There is a moment where the danger shifts in the film, which adds to the complexity of one character and speaks to the long-lasting impact of constant sexualization. However, while it’s unlikely this was the filmmakers’ intention, some viewers might interpret this shift as villainizing sex workers.

Happy Ending has compelling characters brought to life with great performances. Alexandra Helgerson (As Good as Dead) plays Brynne. Where Helgerson excels is in how she conveys Brynne’s inner feelings with a look and body language. There is a resignation to the character whenever faced with her boyfriend’s shortcomings, but when something lights her up she really comes alive. Bradford Downs (4/20) plays Ezra. Many women watching the film will likely be immediately annoyed by Ezra when the film begins. Yet Downs really showcases the character’s growth throughout the film, making Ezra more endearing along the way. Zoe Rose Curzi (The Last Session) plays one of the women working at the massage parlor, Viktoria. This is one of the most complex characters of the film, and Curzi is great at hinting how the years of trauma have worn away at Viktoria’s sanity, leading to a violent, drug-fueled mental break. Other great performances come from Ling Ling Huang (On a String) and Chynna Rae Shurts (The Lizzie Borden Game).

When it comes to the visuals, this is where the low-budget is most apparent. However, Happy Ending makes the most of what it has, creating some memorable moments. For the most part, this is a single-location film. The outside of the massage parlor is appropriately unsavory looking. The inside is a slight improvement, with dark colors and seductive lighting to bring a calming, sensual vibe. Sometimes the layout of the business gets a bit confusing, but the production design still makes it look like a real massage parlor. There are some great scenes lit by neon and red lights, making the terror as eye-catching as it is thrilling. Not to mention there is some blood and gore to appeal to horror audiences, most of which looks great.

Happy Ending uses a failing relationship and violent outbursts to shed light on the mental toll of sexual transactions. Moss and Wolfe don’t shy away from the hard topics as they use a couple, sex workers, and johns to highlight every facet of relationships between men and women. It’s a thought-provoking story that still delivers plenty of laughs and suspense. The characters and performances are wonderfully layered, and the bloodshed makes for a thrilling third act. If this is what Wolfe can bring to life on a tiny budget, just imagine what she could do with more. Don’t miss Happy Ending, available now on VOD.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10