Tribeca Film Festival – In the short Bumblees, an all-female gang won’t hesitate to bash a few skulls. These women wield barbed wire baseball bats, chains, and other weapons. Billie (Isabella di Rienzo), a potential new member, has a major choice to make. To kill or not to kill? Her conflict sets up the general premise of this entertaining and violent film.

Directed by Sebastian Sdaigui and written by Carol Garlick, the short also features A Quiet Place star Millicent Simmonds as Athena. It’s a thrill to see her in a role so different from the well-known creature feature franchise. Here, she doesn’t hesitate to get down to business and kill, if needed. Her character is tough and powerful, but not quite as ruthless as the gang’s leader, Cyd (Jackie Cruz), who encourages Billie to murder escaped hostage Duke (Beau Knapp).  Cyd is a remorseless character who doesn’t flinch at the sight of blood.

This short boasts an impressive cast who makes the most out of every minute, but it also has an intriguing set design and costume choices, too. The women look like they stepped out of the 1950s, due to their hairdos, leather pants, and white socks. Think Olivia Newtown-John’s Sandy at the end of Grease, or a sock hop from hell. The setting resembles a junkyard outside of a sleazy hotel. It’s unclear if this is set in the future or an alternative version of the 1950s, but regardless it’s unsettling.

The film’s real drive, however, is Billie’s conflict. She’s not as bloodthirsty as Cyd and Athena, and she hesitates to kill. It’s unclear why she wants to join the Bumblebees. If this is ever fleshed out into a feature, I assume that question will be answered. Billie knows what the gang’s initiation involves, but she has more of a moral compass than the other women. Why would she even entertain the idea?

Bumblebees is a gripping and savage little film. It has the perfect amount of gore, a great cast, and a stylish costume design. One thing is for sure, if you encounter this all-female gang, stay far, far away. They sting. I’d love to see more of this world and these characters in a feature-length film.

8 Out of 10