By: Terry Jarrell
‘Little Bites’ from filmmakers Krsy Fox (Allegoria, Terrifier 3) and husband Spider One (Powerman 5000, Allegoria) weave gripping a tale that delivers fear on many levels.
Feeding Evil
First off, I love this movie. Moody, tense, scary – the the whole vibe is great for bringing this nightmare to life. Or death. After watching ‘Little Bites’ twice, it is pleasantly surprising to find more to the story at first watch. Sure thing for another rewatch too!
What seems to be a familiar tale quickly turns some corners, landing in a mother’s worst nightmare. Yes, there is a monster – Agyar (Jon Sklaoff) is something hard to define. Agyar is not your usual growling, stalking menace. No, not at all. Agyar is a very articulate ‘being’, if you can call him that. He delivers his lines and methodically using his words as sharply as, well, as bites. He knows what he wants and knows how to get it from the desperate Mindy Vogel (Krsy Fox).
We get to know Agyar pretty early in the movie, however he only gets scarier as the story evolves. The poster only gives a shocking. glimpse with what’s to come from this demonic vampire-predator.
A Mother’s Love
Without giving much away, ‘Little Bites’ is one of those movies that you can ‘feel’. As a writer and filmmaker myself, I personally gravitate to the story first rather than anything. The depth of this story builds right off with a weary widow Mindy trying to protect her young daughter Alice (Elizabeth Phoenix Caro) from Agyar, the monster in the basement.
Mindy’s mother (Bonnie Aarons, The Nun) has been taking care of Alice while Mindy deals with the secret she has been hiding.
This brings up the questions about a mother’s love and what they will do to protect their children. In this case, Mindy allows the monstrous Agyar to feed on her, literally eating her alive, to save her daughter.. Mindy is trying to straddle the line between her own mother’s suspicions while protecting Alice as she is slowing being consumed.
Complications
Of course, there plenty other issues for Mindy to deal with. The by-the-book social worker (Barbara Crampton – Re-Animator, Suitable Flesh) always happens to pop up when Mindy is otherwise indisposed. Nosy neighbor Gail (Lyndsi LaRose) at the market trying to stir up some gossip about Mindy is an awkwardly tense moment too.
The lady at the park is somewhat of a guiding light for Mindy. Ellenor (Heather Langenkamp – A Nightmare on Elm Street). Mindy realizes that there are monsters in unexpected places.
The tension ramps up to another level with the appearance of Paul (Chaz Bono). The interplay between the two characters of Mindy and Paul is great fun albeit quite tense.
The Creepy Feels
This is where ‘Little Bites’ shines as well. The sets, lighting, cinematography by Andy Patch, and brooding pacing of the scenes transports you into the darkness of Mindy’s home. Lots of closeups and long, lingering shots of Mindy alone as she tries to get through one moment to the next where you can almost feel her anguish. Then confronting Agyar and his indifference and physical brutality we can sense her fading will to go on, but her love for Alice keeps her alive.
Director and writer, Spider One – (Allegoria, Powerman 5000) creates a world which is claustrophobic and stifling, as it should be. The feeling in these extremely uncomfortable settings gets the nail biting going. Spider One shows his love for classic horror while you are reminded of so many other horror films in similar settings but with the twists in ‘Little Bites’.
The filmmakers obviously put a lot of thought and work into ‘Little Bites”. Not only starring as Mindy, Krsy Fox (Allegoria, Knee High Fox) and husband Spider One serve as producers. Other notable producer credits include Wendy Berry, Tyler Connolly, Ian Hoge Chaz Bono and Cher. Krsy Fox handled editing and sound design with music by Roy Mayorga.
Special shout out to two original songs. ‘In Wonderland’ written by Spider One and performed by Krsy Fox. ‘Protect Me’ written by Paul Wiley (Terrifier, Marilyn Manson) and Jake Whiskin, performed by Jake Whiskin.
The Last Nibble
Now, it’s your turn to settle down with your favorite drink or snacks to nibble on (pun intended) while you slip into the darkness of ‘Little Bites’. Now showing on SHUDDER and Prime Video.
So, go ahead… try a bite.
