This is a thriller and comedy in which the creative blend isunusual and invigorating. Written and directed by Kyle Misak, Bad Haircut focuses on appearance and dazzles due tomarvelous writing which leads to interesting characterizations and suspense. The concept of being cool plays a key role, but in many ways all bets are off in this film. In the end, it becomes a horrid and comedic ride that has unimaginable and nervy hatch doors along the way.

The film’s main character is Billy (Spencer Harrison Levin)  like an outside at a party he attends because of his hair. His friends are Sonny (Beau Minniear) and Dee (R.J. Beaubrun) encourage him to get a haircut. The barbershop is run by a rather strange fellow named Mick (Frankie Ray). He looks like a retro pirate, or Mick Jagger’s cousin. There are elements in the story that are uninviting and quite bizarre. Harper and Dee leave Billy at the barbershop with Mick, and then a variety of odd events occur. Without giving away too much detail, let’s just say there are some gun shots, weird things in corners, and a dwarf assistant.

What fascinated me about Bad Haircut is that the title is on point. The film’s continuity also flows well. It is not keen to just scare, but also to maintain its sense of fun and joy. The twists and runs thrown in along the way, add to the laughs. Misak uses his talent to channel ups and downs of suspense in Bad Haircut. Since this film is part of Fantastic Fest, it fits the category of “Fantastic” well thanks to its humorous nature, especially through the quotes and dialogue in Ray’s performance as Mick. Since he is the crazy barber overlooking Billy’s hair, when hesays the word, “perfection,” there is an inevitable sign of strange obscurity. Bad Haircut is filled with mind-blowing dangers, and I truly hope it will blow the minds of many viewers. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.