BUGS: A Trilogy is a gloriously independent, often nasty horror trilogy that works a lot more often than it doesn’t. As the title infers, this is a trilogy of stories written by and starring Alexandra Grunberg and directed by Simone Kisiel. In three separate stories, Grunberg plays three very different characters. Each diversion follows a woman who faces a uniquely female horror.

The first story is Hatchling. Diane is a sharply-dressed woman who is tasked with watching a precocious young boy named Elliot (Kobi Frumer). Initially speechless, the youngster is coxed into communication with the promise of watching TV. Diane discovers a knife in his overnight bag and becomes more than worried. This little punk has the propensity, or at least the ideation, of violence. Walking on eggshells Diane continues to placate the brat and we continue to wonder why this kid is in her home, not to mention why she is tolerating him. The camera work by Katie Voss conveys a Twilight Zone atmosphere while we wait for a payoff. This is the least successful of the three stories in that it is rich with atmosphere but is a little unclear when the reveal occurs.

Next up is Parasite. The most effective of the three stories, we are treated to a story of Hannah (Grunberg), who suffers from severe abdominal pain and gastrointestinal problems. When she visits Dr. Gillespie (Marissa Carpio), she is reminded to stay on a strict diet and closley adhere to the whacky regimen she has been prescribed. Then Hannah begins crapping out jagged teeth and she realizes that there may be something utterly terrifying that is calling her gutty works home. Here director Kisiel leans into the gnarly sounds of guttural turmoil and what is off-screen. This segment plays heavily on the need to be heard and the refusal of those in any capacity to help to do so. That’s not to mention the gut-churning sound design and all that it brings with it.

The final short is rather straightforward with the title Bed Bugs. In this story, we meet Elena (Grunberg). A once-aspiring ballerina, Elena begins to notice bites and lesions on her skin and suspects bed bugs. Despite the physical evidence and increasingly erratic behavior, Elana’s roommate continues to dismiss the suspicions. This segment leans into the desperation felt when irrefutable evidence is ignored and a voice goes unheard. Effective, but a little too much like the story that preceded it, Parasite.

Overall, Bugs: A Trilogy is a worthy and distinctly feminine horror anthology that explores fears and terrors unique to the female experience. The film is unapologetically indie with production values that vacillate, bold chances taken, and a grab bag of performances. The upside is that enough works to make this an engrossing horror trilogy. Support indie horror and give this one a shot.

 6 Out Of 10