Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: BAD HAIRCUT [Fantastic Fest 2025 - Austin, Texas]
The aspect of a horror comedy always has to walk the line on tone without losing itself. "Bad Haircut" gets what it is in spades but is completely fueled in many ways by the manic and awesome performance of Frankie Ray as Mick, a would-be hairdresser with 80s Twisted Sister rock vibes but burned out on the edge of death. Ray has worked as a stunt man but his performance here -- half creepy, half comedic, all style -- is such a breath of fresh air that it almost completely takes over the film. The first three-quarters is of course the best. Kyle Misak, who wrote and directed the movie, bathes the beginning in 80s vibes with some serious needle drops (which for licensing is an interesting idea depending if they are just festival cleared or release cleared -- since they specifically set the tone). That said the score is great too. Misak seems to be firing a lot on all cylinders. Production value is very high. Mick even has his own Mini Me in Wimp, a little person who is both his hitman and his punching bag. The central character that Mick focuses on is Billy (Spencer Harrison Levin) who comes in with his boys for a haircut because he is a social inept and needs a makeover.
The narrative moves as a manner of what Mick is trying to do and Ray keeps it very fluid in terms of what the character wants and needs. He loves old forties musical, moves in a very specific way but seemingly has a thing for Sam (TikTokker Nora Freely). Again Ray plays it one way and Levin and Freely play it enough off kilter to understand that they are in on the joke but playing it seriously enough to give it stakes. Billy's boys Dee and Harper are half there to goad him on and half there to make fun of themselves and him. They play as if it is a game. The climax comes off a little cartoony but is in play with Mick's idea of life (even the truck he is driving). While there is definitely a brutality to the proceedings, Ray again has a light that is both sad clown and manic rocker looking to capture the day while definitely being creepy and horrific in the same breath. Levin understands the role and his part in it and Neely plays her character with a slight snarkiness that ultimately pays off in Billy's favor in the end. Ultimately, "Bad Haircut" is a romp that misdirects in a great way allowing for an actor that might not be put at the forefront often, be given a space to shine in a story that, while a little silly, gives itself credit for what it is and delivers on that promise. B+
By Tim Wassberg
