SXSW Horror Short Film ‘Stuffed’ To Be Made Into A Feature Film

Mother of Movies isn’t the biggest fan of musicals. But I am a fan of horror and this is a story I loved from the moment it started. It’s dark, seedy, and dirty just the way I like it. I guess it helped a little that I already knew director Theo Rhys’s ‘Stuffed’ would be made into a full-length feature film, but that certainly doesn’t detract from just how brilliant this 19-minute story is.

The short film’s people haven’t revealed a release date yet, but I have been assured it will come. Stuffed was well received at its March 16th screening at 2021’s South by Southwest Film Festival. But I can tell you what I know about the story, who its writers and stars are, and why I loved it so much. And I also have a trailer.

Wanted: Human Specimen to Stuff

Stuffed begins with a jaded and depressed-looking taxidermist. Her dreams pinned on finding a human specimen to give a forever home. Similar to real-life stories floating around internet-land, of cannibals and vampires wanting people to ingest or bite, Araminta would like to add to her collection of animals and stuff a human. She takes to the dark web’s online forums and discovers a wealth of enthusiastic wannabes and trolls. Just as she thinks she will never find the right person to fulfill her needs, Bernie appears. Bernie is afraid of growing old and triumphantly agrees to be her volunteer.

Forget Stuffed Animals…

But what happens if once you find a man to fulfill your dreams, he becomes the man of your dreams? Stuffed is intimate, and personal and will tap into all the feels you have. This short film is the best I have ever watched. My favorite short film overall.

Of course, I would be remiss to spoil something as unique and special as Stuffed. I promise you though, that this is one well-performed, insanely emotional, and bizarre short film you do not want to miss.

Playing the role of the taxidermist, Araminta is Alison Fitzjohn. She is a force and I loved every second of her screen appearance. I truly hope both are cast in the full-length film because their dynamic together played with my frayed and frazzled heartstrings. Anthony Young plays Bernie and has just the right amount of vulnerability that Stuffed had me fall in love with him too.

The story is macabre but it also touches on the desire to be loved versus a person’s penchant to achieve their wildest dreams. The narrative also touches on themes of acceptance and the willingness to give and take in the name of love.

Stuffed comes with music composed by Joss Holden-Rea who also co-wrote with director Theo Rhys.

Watch the Stuffed 2022 Short Film Yourself on Vimeo

If you love Stuffed as much as I did, the soundtrack is available free of charge to listen to on Spotify or Bandcamp.com

Stuffed from Theo Rhys on Vimeo.

Looking for aother movie that features a morgue or dead bodies? Watch Play Dead, Broken Bird or Psycho next.

Stuffed film is rated

5 Nightmare love stories out of 5