Comer Shines in Uneven Body-Horror Musical at TIFF
Theo Rhys directs a corpse-themed musical romance starring Jodie Comer and Harry Melling, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. While the film features original songs and a gnarly premise, critics find the overall execution limp, though Comer's committed performance stands out. The review notes the scarcity of original musicals on screen and praises Comer's chameleonic range.
Theo Rhys directs "Stuffed," a corpse-themed musical romance starring Jodie Comer and Harry Melling. Co-written with Joss Holden-Rea, who also composed the original songs, the feature expands from a prior short film. Its narrative blends elements of Sweeney Todd with a notorious cannibalism case, centering on Comer's character, Araminta, who inhabits a macabre household.
The feature premiered in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival, running nearly two hours. While the premise is original, reviewers found the execution sluggish and the lyrics grating. However, Comer's chameleonic performance is repeatedly singled out as the film's standout element, reinforcing her reputation as a versatile talent.
This mixed reception could influence the trajectory of original musicals in cinema, as studios may view the film's lukewarm response as a cautionary tale for risky, non-IP projects. For Jodie Comer, the critical praise amidst a flawed film may reinforce her standing as a leading talent, potentially attracting more substantive roles. Audiences seeking fresh genre hybrids might find the film's uneven execution discouraging, though its cult appeal could emerge among horror-musical enthusiasts.