Review for ‘‘Jessicarved’’ by Victoria G.

Jessicarved is a student film realized in its entirety by one Victoria G. A surrealist short, it attempts to fit its commentary in one scene, with one character, in just one setting, all of it written produced and realized by one person, as if the film’s production were a part of the one-woman-performance in itself.

The premise is simple & direct. A oblivious vlogger livestreams the carving of her first halloween pumpkin, with terrible parallel consequences on her body, as suggested by the title. The social commentary on the personal cost of pursuing a social media influencer career is a welcome take, if a bit heavy-handed.

Technically, the short is adequate, and perhaps even a bit shoddy on purpose, to better capture the experience of an amateur livestreamer. Further, the low capture quality contrasts with the grotesque subject matter in a way reminiscent of films like the Blair Witch Project, or found footage horror.

In conclusion, the absurd comedy of Jessicarved cauterizes the deification of social media influence, and what it may lack in technical prowess it makes up for in dark humor and soul.