Fantasia International Film Festival 2025 – Over the last few years, there’s been a wave of horror films about the dark side of influencer culture. What makes the short film Headcase so unique, however, is its bonkers concept. An influencer falls in love with a decapitated head. It’s an off-the-wall premise that makes for an endearing horror-comedy.
Directed by Spencer Zimmerman, the film stars Siobhan Connors as Karen. Like other influencers, Karen truly believes that if she lands enough likes and subscriptions to her channel, she can make a living shooting videos and constantly uploading content. She even has an agent, who, at one point, tells her to create content that’s more “trauma trendy.” In the opening minutes, Karen hits a cyclist, Brad (Pat Moonie) with her car. She then poses his severed head in a bush and films herself crying. Somehow, Brad’s head starts talking, and the two, well, form a relationship of sorts.
It can’t be understated how good of a script this is, which was penned by Zimmerman and Moonie. The short stands out from the countless other influencer horror films because of the jokes and the concept. Yet, there’s also something much deeper and more human going on here. The film’s best moments occur when Karen and Brad poke fun at each other, including the awkward situation they find themselves in, but also how they’re both terribly lonely people. Brad even quips at one point that the small number of viewers Karen has aren’t actually her friends. This movie is about human connection and the desire for a meaningful relationship more than anything else. The talking head and frequent jokes just add levity to the poignant film.
The short also succeeds in showing Karen’s desperation for subscribers. There’s even a point where she has dinner with someone potentially willing to endorse her channel, if she focuses on mental health content. So frazzled by the fact she killed a cyclist, Karen blurts out a series of mistakes that cost her the endorsement. It’s a powerful scene that underscores what’s at stake for the film’s lead, while also underscoring how inconsiderate she can be of others.
Headcase is a strong short that balances the humor with more serious themes regarding loneliness and influencer culture. This is a creative concept that would make for an entertaining feature-length film.
