South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival – In Sissy, Cecilia (Aisha Dee) plays a self-help, social media influencer who repeats mantras like “I am good enough” and “I love myself.” Yet, behind the fake smile lurks a sinister secret, repressed memories about a friendship gone very, very wrong. Sissy is the type of movie that blends dark humor and horror in near-perfect fashion. It’s an engaging thriller not afraid to hold back on the gore, either.

As a kid, Cecilia was besties with blond-haired, blue-eyed Emma (Hanna Barlow). They did everything together, including making time capsules, vowing to be friends to the end, and recording each other on VHS tape, which Cecilia frequently watches over and over again, longing for what used to be. Though Cecilia tries to move on, she’s forced to confront her past after she bumps into Emma at a pharmacy a decade later. This results in a weekend get-a-way at a remote cabin for Emma’s bachelorette party.

There, Cecilia comes face to face with Alex (Emily De Margheriti), the meanest of mean girls who bullied Cecilia when they were kids, leading Cecilia to lash out in a rather violent fashion. Alex refuses to forgive Cecilia for what she did to her, as warranted as it may have been, considering the relentless teasing and torment Cecilia endured. Yet, as much as Emma may want to rekindle an old friendship, it’s difficult. She has a new group of friends, many of whom question Cecilia’s job as a social media influencer, accusing her of profiting off of other people’s pain.

Eventually, Cecilia snaps, leading to one bloody murder after another. Some of the kills are borderline campy, considering the amount of gore and practical effects, but that’s part of what makes Sissy so much fun. It isn’t afraid to lean into the absurd at times. Yet, there is plenty of strong acting here. Dee especially gives a rousing performance, moving from one emotional extreme to the next. Barlow is decent as well, and De Margheriti is great as Alex, an ice princess who refuses to forgive Cecilia for what she did when they were kids. She wants to make her life hell at all costs.

Additionally, directors/writers Barlow and Kane Senes have some stunning shots throughout the runtime, and their script is well-balanced in terms of pacing and tone. This film is a rich blend of comedy and horror. There are some hints here that Emma may have only befriended Cecilia to have that one Black friend, but the film never veers into preachy territory. The audience can draw their own conclusions as to whether or not Emma was using Cecilia, or generally valued their friendship. Meanwhile, Cecilia is a complex character. Her obsession with likes and clicks is annoying, but she also warrants some sympathy from the viewer, considering how Alex and the others act around her, both during the flashbacks and in the present. She tries hard to fit in but never does, to no fault of her own, at least initially.

Sissy is a clever movie. Dee especially gives one heck of a performance. This is a film that will make you laugh one minute before shocking you the next. The directors crafted one strong feature that isn’t afraid to have some fun. Sissy surprises, delights, and most of all, entertains.

8 Out of 10