Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival 2023– While Gussy may be an ambiguous and somewhat befuddling short with LGBTQ themes, its images and interactions between the two male leads are incredibly arresting and haunting. While the short is somewhat understated, it still leaves an impression, due to the performances and the nightmarish, puzzling images.

Directed by Chris Osborn, the film follows the story of two childhood friends who hunted a monster they thought they saw in the woods. Now adults, Miles (Cole Doman) and Rocky (Michael Patrick Nicholson) return to the woods. This is when things get really, really weird. There’s a door that appears seemingly out of nowhere, but what’s behind the door and what it represents are unclear. Meanwhile, there’s a blue-eyed monster that stalks the old friends. Suddenly, they become the hunted.

What’s impressive about this film is that it has very, very little dialogue, but it’s clear how Miles and Rocky feel about each other all of these years later. This is most apparent when they pull into a shopping mall parking lot and linger in a hug before they go their separate ways. Obviously, these two were more than childhood friends, though, for whatever reason, they’re unable to pursue a romantic relationship in the present. As for what the monster and the door may represent, that’s really up to the viewer to interpret. In terms of aesthetics, there’s somewhat of a found footage quality here because the film features videos that Miles and Rocky shot as kids. There’s also plenty of handheld camera action that resembles The Blair Witch Project.

While I’m not sure I fully understood everything that transpired in Gussy, I couldn’t stop thinking about it after the credits rolled. Nicholson and Doman’s performances are compelling, and despite how opaque aspects of the narrative and imagery are, it’s still an atmospheric little horror film with clear LGBTQ themes. I’m eager to see what Osborn does next.

6.5 Out of 10