The Ballad of Straw Hat Sam
April 14th, 2025
MOVIE: THE BALLAD OF STRAW HAT SAM
STARRING: DUKE ROSS, VICTOR ACOSTA, JENNICA ANUSUA, TOMMY CHONG
DIRECTED BY: DUKE ROSS
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 45 MINUTES
Over the last few years, I’ve been lucky to discover animated films beyond the mainstream family fare in theaters. One such film is Erik Power’s When You Get to the Forest—a stunning work of construction paper animation that blew me away with its sheer creativity. I still marvel at how it was made and hope more people discover it. Now, a new animated feature, The Ballad of Straw Hat Sam, has entered the scene. At just 45 minutes, it’s more of a mid-length production, blending lo-fi sketch-style animation with live-action detective segments. It’s a quirky, genre-bending experience—an acquired taste—but one worth diving into for those who appreciate unconventional storytelling.
The story follows the titular Sam (voiced by writer/director Duke Ross), who begins his oddball quest at a diner, sipping coffee and announcing to the waitress that he’s searching for the greatest bourbon ever made—Witches Teet. Along the way, he meets Bucket (Victor Acosta), and the two set off on a surreal journey filled with offbeat characters, including a bridge-guarding crab lady, some mischievous ghosts, and a pair of detectives on their trail.
The animation style calls back to the 1990s Comedy Central series Dr. Katz, with its squiggly lines and offbeat humor. There are also echoes of Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Home Movies, particularly in the absurd, freewheeling comedic approach. However, Straw Hat Sam is even looser in structure—less about plot and more about playful unpredictability, which is part of what makes it feel fresh and original.
From a technical standpoint, the animation won’t win awards—but that’s not the point. It’s raw, free-spirited, and alive with the kind of imagination that feels homegrown. It reminded me of the goofy, creative things my brother and his friends used to make—drawing weird creatures in notebooks or filming sketch shows with a camcorder. There’s a nostalgic, DIY charm to Straw Hat Sam that taps into that same spirit.
Sam himself is a laid-back, slightly crass, oddly charming character. He recounts the tale of how he got his iconic hat, shares his distaste for the name Max, and casually ignores his freeloading uncle’s demands. He’s a little Hank Hill, a little Bart Simpson, and maybe a dash of Bender—all wrapped up in one straw-hatted misfit.
That said, the film isn’t without its flaws. The 45-minute runtime feels a bit light and could’ve used a more impactful final act. The humor is hit-or-miss, depending on your taste. I didn’t laugh out loud much, but I found myself smiling throughout, appreciating just how inventive and bold it was.
These are the kinds of films that deserve to be seen—works made by people who take creative risks and put their personal vision into the world. Duke Ross shows himself to be a bright, imaginative filmmaker with the courage to be weird, and that’s something to celebrate.
The Ballad of Straw Hat Sam is a delightful, scrappy, and surprisingly heartfelt oddity—fearless, funny, and just a little bit magical. And yes, he does look great in that hat.
3 STARS
THE BALLAD OF STRAW HAT SAM IS AVAILABLE TO RENT ON VOD ON AMAZON PRIME.
Written by: Leo Brady
