Sean Whalen’s ‘CRUST’ (2024) – Movie Review – PopHorror

I remember several years ago seeing the crowdfunding campaign for Sean Whalen’s directorial debut Crust, a film about a sock monster who helps a man get revenge on those who have hurt him. I was super excited for the project but didn’t hear anything for a long time. Well Crust is officially finished and I got a chance to check it out.

Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis

A depressed has-been child actor and owner of a dingy laundromat, becomes powerfully vengeful when his collection of lone socks transforms into a protective, cute, murderous monster named Crust.

Crust was directed by Sean Whalen and written by Whalen and Jim Wald. The film stars Sean Whalen (The People Under The Stairs), Rebekah Kennedy (Two Witches), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Daniel Roebuck (Terrifier 3), and Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

Damn, Crust absolutely defied all expectations. The film runs the gamut from heartfelt to horrifying to utterly heartbreaking.

I absolutely loved the characters and the actors who brought them to life. Sean Whalen’s Vegas Winters is a lovable depressed loser who hides a dark side. Sean Whalen is able to cover all sides of Vegas’s character in a believable fashion. He’s lovable, he’s funny, he’s sad and most of all he’s fucking scary. Rebekah Kennedy’s Nila, Vegas’s love interest, is charming and sweet and supportive while having her own twisted past and hidden secrets. Rebekah Kennedy, who I absolutely loved as Masha in Two Witches, knocks it out of the park here, delivering a different performance, proving her versatility.

The relationship between Vegas and Nila’s relationship is mostly cute and loving but off course this is a horror film so it does have its dark and twisted side. Daniel Roebuck is an absolute hoot as Russ, Vegas’s partner in the laundromat. He’s like your lovable drunk uncle. He’s hilarious and an absolute delight. Felissa Rose is fun and puts in a great performance as Vegas’s bitchy ex girlfriend Laura.

Now let’s get to the star of the show: Crust. He’s an absolutely adorable monster made out of a pile of socks that kills the people who upset or hurt Vegas. He is one of the cutest creatures I’ve seen in a movie since the intestinal demon Milo in Bad Milo, a character he kind of reminds me of in personality. He cheers up and supports Vegas, kinda like a emotional support animal, but one that slaughters those who hurt his owner. The story here kept me guessing a lot and includes lots of different elements. It’s got revenge, romance, comedy, horror and tragedy. The final act takes a really dark turn as Vegas starts to pursue his career in Hollywood again. I won’t ruin anything but thinks get really twisted and fucked up and honestly the ending left me gutted and more than a little upset.

Final Thoughts

Crust feels like a mashup between Bad Milo and American Psycho that I never knew I needed in my life but I’m glad it exists. It features romance, horror, comedy, tragedy, a cute creature and even a great Sean Whalen dance number (set to “Rockin Robin” of all things). I highly recommend you check this film out. You won’t be disappointed.