Writer and director Brooke H. Cellars brings the world premier of their feature film debut to this year’s Fantastic Fest. The Cramps: A Period Piece follows Agnes, a sheltered young woman desperate to break free of her controlling family. Yet her chance at forging her own path in life is threatened by monstrous period cramps.

There’s no denying Cellars has a cinematic voice that’s bold, unique, and very gay. The Cramps: A Period Piece is a wonderful showcase of that voice, delivering a film that feels like a mix of John Waters, The Love Witch, and Teeth. When the audience meets Agnes, it’s hard not to immediately love her. She’s incredibly sweet and optimistic, even when her mother and sister treat her horribly. Breaking her family’s wishes, Agnes gets a dream job working as a shampoo girl at a local salon. At the same time, she’s dealing with abnormally brutal period cramps. In her quest to find her confidence, Agnes discovers her cramps manifest into an actual monster willing to kill those who wrong her. For the most part, the quirky comedy and increasingly bizarre happenings will keep audiences laughing and at the edge of their seats. While there is a bit of a lull in momentum in the middle of the film, the final act ramps things back up, leading to a truly shocking end.

On top of The Cramps: A Period Piece having a great tale of self-discovery, it also highlights the joys of those on the fringe of mainstream society. The film is dripping with queerness, many characters being portrayed by drag queens. There is also a stylist at the salon who worships Satan, but counter to what one might expect she is the kindest person to Agnes in the entire film. Everyone working at the salon is an outsider in some way, but this film shows how wonderful they are even if they don’t conform to what the world expects of them. There is also a wonderful theme of found family. For many, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community, finding a chose family can be live saving, especially when blood relatives reject them. Agnes and her new friends at the salon are their own family, more supportive and caring than Agnes’s mother and sister could ever be.

There’s an intentional cheesiness to the performances in The Cramps: A Period Piece, adding to the delightful camp. Lauren Kitchen makes her acting debut as Agnes. What makes her portrayal of the character so endearing is her sweet naivety. Even when people show Agnes their worst, she sees only the good, which likely explains why she needs a killer period to stand up for her. Kitchen is a fantastic leading lady and this is no doubt just the beginning of a great acting career. Wicken Taylor (You Might Be the Killer) plays Satanist and hair stylist Teddy. In most films, Satanists are not depicted in the most positive light. Teddy is a breath of fresh air and Taylor wonderfully shows how kindhearted this character really is. Other standout performances come from Martini Bear, Michelle Malentina (Heart Strings), and Jared Bankens (Twisted Metal).

Because The Cramps: A Period Piece is a film inspired by the 60s and John Waters films, the visuals play a very important role. Right away audiences will be struck by the costume, makeup, and set design. Not to mention, the film features a range of wigs of varying absurdity for a bit of extra visual interest. These elements not only look wonderful and campy, but they also help to embody the time period. The way the film was shot also adds to that 60s aesthetic, have a texture and coloring not often seen in films today. Then of course there’s the practical effects. While there are some visual effect moments that leave unanswered questions, most help bring Agnes’s period to life, sometimes in horrific ways. There’s even a brilliantly executed effect that creates a gross, hilarious nod to The Blob.

The Cramps: A Period Piece is a retro, campy horror comedy that sheds the lining to tell a compelling tale of self discovery, counterculture, and found family. Cellars manages to craft laughs along with gruesome moments, all wrapped within a surprisingly heartfelt tale. Despite some pacing issues and unexplained moments, the visual style is sure to captivate audiences. Be prepared to fall in love with Kitchen as her portrayal of Agnes takes us on an endearing coming-of-age journey. Quirky indie horror fans should definitely seek this film out and be sure to keep an eye on what Cellars does next.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10