'Buzzkill' Horror-Comedy Sets Fall Release with Agudong

Well, here’s a sentence you don’t type every day: a jealous vibrator is getting its own horror-comedy this fall. That’s the gloriously unhinged premise behind Buzzkill, a brand-new short film that just locked in its release date, and honestly, it might be the most relatable inanimate-object villain of the year.

The eight-minute thrill ride - because yes, they packed a full jealous-sex-toy arc into just eight minutes - is set to land on October 18th, just in time for spooky season. For those keeping score at home, that’s a prime slot for audiences looking for something a little weirder than your standard haunted-house fare. And with a logline like “a jealous vibrator will do whatever it takes to secure its spot in its owner's life,” you can already guess this isn’t your grandma’s horror movie. It’s more like your slightly unhinged, comedy-obsessed friend’s horror movie, and that’s exactly the vibe we’re here for.

Helming this chaotic delight is director Amanda Griswold, who clearly understands that the secret to a great short film is committing fully to the bit. The movie stars Siena Agudong and Brec Bassinger, both of whom you might recognize from their TV roots, though the official cast list also introduces a fresh batch of names ready to navigate this bizarre love triangle - or maybe love square? We’re not entirely sure how many corners a buzzing appliance can create, but we’re intrigued.

The cast includes Katherine Cozumel as Phoebe, who finds herself caught in the middle of this mechanical obsession; Aubrey Duncan as Margox, which might be the most villain-sounding name ever given to a character in this scenario; Spencer Hammerstad as Kevin, presumably the human boyfriend who is already losing this competition; and Meghan Sinclair as Liz, who honestly just has to deal with the aftermath of whatever chaos unfolds. No word yet on whether the vibrator speaks, but given the genre mashup, we’re praying it does.

Here’s where things get interesting from a storytelling perspective: this is a film that could easily go full camp, but horror-comedy is a delicate tightrope. You need the scares to feel real enough that the jokes land harder, and you need the humor to undercut the tension just enough that you don't feel gross. Griswold’s premise is inherently silly, but that’s kind of the point. There's something genuinely clever about taking an object designed for pleasure and turning it into a source of dread - it’s the kind of subversive twist that makes indie shorts stand out and eventually land distribution deals.

The October release date is strategic, too. As we barrel toward Halloween, audiences are hungry for everything from gore festivals to lighthearted spooky fun. Buzzkill sits in a weird, wonderful middle ground. It’s not a full-length feature demanding two hours of your evening, but a quick, punchy bite of entertainment that you can watch with friends and immediately discuss over texts. And in a world where horror is often oversaturated with reboots and sequels, an original concept - no matter how NSFW it might sound - feels refreshing.

We should also note that the film has a TMDb rating of 0/10 right now, which is technically the ultimate blank slate. That means no one has weighed in yet, so early viewers have a chance to shape its legacy. It’s a clean slate, and honestly, the pressure is on us as an audience to decide whether this becomes a midnight cult classic or just a charming oddity that makes you raise an eyebrow.

If you're already planning your October watchlist, pencil this in for a double feature with something like Talk to Me or maybe a classic like Jennifer's Body - it fits that "horror with attitude" energy. And if you're just in it for the sheer absurdity, well, you won't be disappointed. This is a film that knows exactly what it is, and it’s leaning all the way in.

So mark your calendars for October 18th. Get your friends together, dim the lights, and prepare for the scariest thing you'll see all season: a household appliance with attachment issues. Whether that makes you laugh, squirm, or both, Buzzkill is promising to deliver the most buzzed-about micro-horror moment of the fall. And honestly, after this year, we could all use a little more weird.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter