Disturbing, dirty and just wrong: those are some of the words my best friends would use to describe me. They can also be used to describe POP, the latest short film from writer/director J. Spencer. This colorful and fun (albeit, gross) film capitalizes on what fixates a lot of people nowadays; popping pimples. Don’t even act like you haven’t sat there for more hours than you care admit watching Dr. Pimple Popper videos and the like.

POP follows Renee (Chloe Farnworth), a slacker who’s lack of basic hygiene rule her day-to-day regime, much to the dismay of those around her. Her most satisfying routine involves that of popping the zits that have created a colony on her face., that is until she is faced with one that just.wont.pop.

Farnworth’s strong performance as a chain-smoking hoarder makes her an interesting and dynamic character. The colorful and quick wit humor keep the film’s ton light in spite of what lurks below the greasy surface. The contrast between Renee’s sluggish and pimple-obsessed attitude and the bubbly and clean people she associates with give the viewer a feeling as though Renee is held captive by her unhealthy habits.

POP can be used an intimate look into the crippling effects that can metastasize due to untreated mental health problems.

The film is a fun and disgusting ride as Renee’s makes her way through a sea of Tinder suitors, chain smoking and popping her zits. The cinematography, writing and overall film-making is vibrant and engaging – but the makeup needed work. As the film’s primary focal point, Renee’s zits don’t look too real. The makeup looks too stiff, too discolored. As it served as such a pivotal character in the film, the zits became almost distracting due to the quality of the makeup.
Overall, I was entertained and repulsed, so it may be safe to say that it was a job well done. However, If you cringe at the words moist or crusty, this movie is probably not for you. Have fun popping those zits, my friends.