Tito Movie Shines 1 Light On Social Anxiety

A totally bizarre and frustrating tale of Tito and his trauma written by director-writer Grace Glowicki. A deep dive into an agoraphobic tortuous life, Tito is a hard one to figure out. At best, it’s a movie that certainly gives a character study into just how scary the world is for those with social anxiety.

The only clue as to what caused Tito to become so scared is a red whistle seen in the opening scenes. An emergency whistle hangs from his neck everywhere he goes. He scurries about trying to get home and is absolutely terrified of his own shadow. The underpinning score is frantic and Tito is extremely gaunt. He’s also unkempt and hunched over to show he’s been running for some time. His whistle is what I assume represents that he is often chased by something frightening, unseen, and unexplained.

Movies About Agoraphobia

In addition, the lead is played by the film’s creator, Grace Glowicki, and the narrative comprises two central characters. It doesn’t leave a lot of room for centering on what the story needs to say. A short run time of only 70 minutes and minimal dialogue also adds to deficiencies in marketing exactly what I was supposed to be taking away from it.

Grace masterfully embodies a character whose masculine presentation is accentuated through a deft application of costuming and slick makeup that weaves ambiguity into their gender. Despite this, their essence leans unmistakably feminine. It is the interplay with the neighbor, John, whose persistent use of “brother” and “man” serves as an emphatic nod to the character’s male identity—though it borders on overkill.

The narrative presents a missed opportunity; it could have embraced the fluidity of gender identity more boldly, using Tito’s character as a vessel for introducing the concept of preferred pronouns, thus transforming the story into a potent instrument for enlightenment.

John (Ben Petrie) comes into the story as a hero of suspicion almost immediately. Despite coming into Tito’s life, and bearing gifts, at the same time, he appears after having broken into his house to do so. Like a bulldozer, John is a demanding and overbearing quasi-ally. He explains his sudden intrusion into Tito’s life and coerces him into opening up using cannabis and full-spread breakfasts.

Then he is always there. Tito, on the other hand, is happy for some friendly company. He seems puzzled but curious as they get to know one another. Initially, John doesn’t seem to want anything from him, but it’s easy to spot the creepy conversion of power as John realizes that weed is something he can use to get more than he should from his new acquaintance.

Is Tito A Good Movie?

Overall, Tito is less of a narrative movie and more of an atmospheric concoction of a few vague ideas. Me, I didn’t connect too much with any of it however I appreciate that there is plenty of conversation being had about exactly what it’s trying to do. Maybe it’s not trying to do anything and merely portrays the unexpected roles of people who come and go in our lives sometimes making it better and sometimes not.

You can watch the Tito movie for free, streaming on KANOPY.

I give Tito

2 John is a bad wingman out of 5