Truth Serum – One Location Comedic Madness

House parties are as uncomfortable as a root canal, and the more one gives in to them, the worse the outcome. So what happens when a house party goes wrong and everyone starts shouting about what they think of one another? In this hilarious short, truth bites even harder than lies. BAFTA-nominated director Vika Evdokimenko’s short, Truth Serum, is an amusement park attraction of dark humor. It stars one of the hottest comedians on the scene Richard Gadd alongside some cool British actors such as Sophie Kennedy Clark, Umi Myers, and Olivia Vinal. 

Truth Serum starts with the premise of a house party gone wrong, from the earlier scenes to the chaos, as the narrative extends for a 20+ minute runtime. Secrets and lies intertwine through a handheld camera that captures the insanity of losing it. Women on the verge of a breakdown dominate the film. Watching as every female character unravels with a set of specific unmet needs and desires makes for a compelling experience that doesn’t live up to the fantasy but is grounded in truth and heartbreak. The cinematography works perfectly, trapping audiences with the characters, as extreme closeups and weird Dutch angles evolve the scene after a mystery drug has been consumed by everyone, devolving into a séance, a myriad of voices, colors, and sensations. 

As the guests ingest a mystery drug, all hell breaks loose, as domestic turbulence ensues and a married couple faces off in a series of back-and-forth accusations.  Evdokimenko’s film promises heartfelt laughter, and a fun time behind the screen, watching and interacting with a group of adults making fools of themselves. But without the brilliant depiction of each character, the premise wouldn’t have worked as smoothly.

What elevates the film apart from the brilliant script by Oliver Shuster (Evdokimenko’s husband) are the actors’ performances which take its comedic element to a higher level. Comedy stems from the realistic way in which the story unfolds, tensions arise as friends reveal grudges and women snap after months of repressed feelings combined. Gadd is as usual a scene stealer, as Jimmy. The role, though small and confined, showcases his magnetism as an actor, and his comedic prowess. It’s insane to imagine a world where Gadd is a famed British comedian without the international exposure he has recently acquired through the success of Baby Reindeer.

The whole cast exceeds in playing it for kicks, a fun set shows in the final product, and the outcome is as funny as it is endearing, but what sets the tone straight are the witty bits and pieces scattered all around. In the end, Truth Serum is a blast, a brief rollercoaster ride that ends with everyone on a high note.

Check out my interview with director Vika Evdokimenko on the new keithlovesmovies YouTube channel here. Want to watch Truth Serum? Check it out on the Omelto YouTube channel here. 

still courtesy of Omeleto

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Jaylan Salah Salman

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