“I am loved. I am special. I am enough. I am doing my best. We all are.”

Story: Cecilia used to be the odd duck in primary school, but has blossomed into a popular self-help influencer on her channel Sincerely Cecilia. But when a hen weekend for Cecilia’s school BFF Emma brings together many of her former schoolmates? Cecilia’s school nemesis Alex is also invited, turning the weekend into a hell-scape for poor Sissy Cecilia. CECILIA, DAMMIT.

Scares: Equal parts suspense and horror
Splat Factor: A character or two completely loses it, so yeah there’s messy moments

Subgenre: Bloody Hilarious Revenge-ish Horror
Year Released: 2022
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original

Trick or Treat?: HAPPY HALLOWEEN, my sweet Secret Squirrels! I figured I’d end this re-boot of #31in31 with a bang, and let y’all know about a horror movie that came out last year, but hasn’t gotten nearly enough love. This is comfort food for those of us who adore payback’s-a-bitch stories, suffused with camp and dark humor. Sissy is a fantastic blend of satire and horror for the social media era. Just maybe don’t watch it with your friends, unless y’all are really, truly down.

As much as I want Cecilia to take care of herself and tell everyone to suck it and peace out? I also wanted to watch Alex die horribly. So when Alex takes Cecilia’s phone and tries to upload a shaming video to Cecilia’s channel? I cheered when Alex started to get what was coming to her. This satire on social media, schoolyard friendships and rivalries, complete with silly Tucker and Dale vs. Evil shenanigans, is a great blend of comedy and horror, perfect for folks who want to either start or end your Hallo-night on a light note. I mean, there’s plenty of the red stuff, but emotionally light. Wow, I sound like a monster. Oopsie doodles.

Great editing by writer/directors Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes – the cuts from “real life” to Sincerely Cecilia are seamless. Thanks to the brilliant direction and incredibly moving performance of Aisha Dee as Cecilia, I was fully in the “kill them all, let God sort it” camp. What can I say, schadenfreude is my life. But as things progress, the horror comedy of errors show that at least a few of the group were at least kind of willing to hear Cecilia out, and more than one secret is revealed that could change the way Cecilia and/or others see things…but uh-oh, accidents. That things aren’t entirely black-and-white is part of Sissy‘s charm.

So are the performances; Dee is incredible as Cecilia, flipping from sweet to anxious, troubled to fully twanged, all in a way that’s completely believable for the character. I’m looking forward to seeing more from her. Barlow does triple duty as school BFF Emma, but it’s willfully toxic Alex that’s Cecilia’s true other half; Emily De Margheriti digs into this mean girl with gusto, and it’s equal parts horrifying and amazing to watch. The jealousy drips off of Alex, and De Margheriti delivers every word like a gut punch to everyone’s inner child.

Plus, the hen weekend pad? It’s gorgeous. Could I live there, please? Yes, I’ll move to Australia. Just maybe clean up the blood though?

Score: 4.5 out of 5 pumpkins.