Debut: Derek Milton’s ‘Pussybaby’ is Dark Satire at Its Best
Embarrassment –it’s happened to everyone. We have all experienced an embarrassing moment or two at one point or another. A kind of humiliating moment that will occasionally creep into our minds to humble and remind us to cringe at our younger selves from time to time. Luckily, most of us have been fortunate enough not to witness that moment go viral and have it affect and follow us for the rest of our lives. Pussybaby, released in early 2023 by writer and director Derek Milton, tapped into the concept of unwanted viral fame in a humorous, satirical fashion with this project. When Shaliek fell prey to a hidden-camera reality TV show, à la Punk’d, that places its victims in fake awkward ethical situations for reaction’s sake, his professional and personal life take a turn for the worst after the embarrassing moment skyrockets into overnight infamy (with a TikTok challenge included), and he’s branded online as “Pussybaby” –ouch.
In a comedic way, the film comments on aspects of today’s obsession with viral fame, social media, and meme culture—as well as cyberbullying and societal expectations in a way that seems outrageous but not far from belief. Shaliek is shown attempting to make it into the entertainment business and pitched a comedy show revolving around himself until the aforementioned viral video ruined that chance. He craved fame, but not exactly how he got it. While pitching his show, Shaliek described it as being funny, provocative, and having a message. The exact same words can be used to describe Milton’s Pussybaby. It all culminates nicely in the final scenes, with the twist at the end working for an effective final surprise laugh that wraps it all up in a satirical bow that shows the film’s intelligent and dark sense of humor.
Pussybaby is a clever film that gives the vibes of a modern comedy made by the likes of Judd Apatow. The subtle, nuanced layers and meta-like humor sprinkled throughout the film were impressive, which has plenty of layers to unpack after watching. The ethical dilemma debate of the prank makes for great comedic dialogue. The film’s cinematography (done by Adriaan Kirchner) has a visually appealing and complementary color palette, especially the bar and dream scenes, that fits the tone. While done very well, it’s worth mentioning it’s a specific kind of humor that requires some knowledge of what it’s commenting on, in this case, contemporary online culture. Still, the fun and playful script and performance by the film’s lead (Shaliek Jenkins) make for a great watch. He plays the role of a quirky and awkward wannabe comedian very confidently and personably, allowing the viewer to feel for the character. The film also included performances from Eryn Allen Kane, MacGregor Burns, DaMya Gurley, Ian Randolph, Bucky O’Connell, and Tre’len Johnston. Shortly after its online premiere, Pussybaby was named Short of the Week and will definitely impress viewers as it’s currently making its rounds in the film festival circuit.
