Thessa Meijer’s Heat (Hitte) is a charming little film about an ice cream vendor (Daniël Kolf) in the middle of a massive heatwave. But don’t let it fool you. Beneath its sunny disposition and bright color palette is a scoop of the uncanny. Pardon the pun.

The film opens with the vendor arranging his ice cream display. Each flavor features a different display item—such as a cell phone, an iPod classic or a pink bowtie—to differentiate them. But something is off. In a brief shot we see a used wet mop behind the counter which has recently been used to clean up an orange colored substance. Perhaps a patron spilled their ice cream all over the floor? Or something worse. Whatever it is, the film’s quirky music by composer Ella van der Woude suggests something weird is going on.

In walks this beautiful young woman (Famke Louise) to order the ice cream and escape the heat. But mid-sentence she begins exhibiting weird behavior. She has difficulty speaking. A gelatinous peach-colored substance oozes out of her pores. A finger falls off. Pretty soon she is a puddle on the tiled floor.

The outrageousness of the scenario is humorous, but also dynamite for fans of body horror. The special effects work recalls the practical effects in the 1989 Brian Yunza cult classic Society, while the surprise ending puts to shame Mrs. Lovett’s meat pies in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).

On one hand, the film may make you question the sanitary nature of the ice cream you eat; on the other hand, the two-minute film is so much fun you can’t help but enjoy being grossed out by its equally enticing and appalling visuals. Warning: do not view the film with a full stomach if you happen to be squeamish.

Although it may not connect with all audiences, Heat can be considered the best ice cream themed horror film since 1985’s The Stuff.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

You can view the short film HERE thanks to SXSW and Mailchimp