Little Bites
October 1st, 2024
MOVIE: LITTLE BITES
STARRING: KRSY FOX, JON SKLAROFF, BARBARA CRAMPTON, HEATHER LANGENKAMP, BONNIE AARONS
DIRECTED BY: SPIDER ONE
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 98 MINUTES
Sometimes, a horror movie thrives on a simple premise. In director Spider One’s Little Bites, the story revolves around a demon hidden in the basement and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child from it. However, what makes Little Bites more intriguing is its exploration of generational trauma, sacrifice, and the everyday struggles of women. While it may initially seem simplistic, this dark and engaging film leaves viewers with plenty to ponder.
The lead character, Mindy (played with tense precision by Krsy Fox), is a single mother grappling with the reality that her daughter, Alice, is living with her overbearing mother (Bonnie Aarons). The phone rings incessantly, with her mother complaining about her inability to babysit. Unbeknownst to her, a demon named Agyar (Jon Sklaroff) resides in the basement, demanding to be fed or it will devour Alice. To keep her daughter safe, Mindy sacrifices parts of herself, allowing the demon to take bites out of her flesh, keeping her alive while satiating the beast’s hunger.
Though the premise may seem limited in scope, Spider One skillfully allows his lead actress (and wife) to linger in the film’s unsettling mood. The supporting cast includes three horror legends: Aarons as the nightmarish mother, Barbara Crampton as the judgmental Child Services employee, and Heather Langenkamp as a voice of reason. Together, they form a trinity of female perspectives, amplifying Fox’s performance and offering a universal examination of women’s strength in the face of relentless scrutiny.
Another layer of the narrative unfolds through Mindy’s conversations with the demon. The slow pacing can be both frustrating and thought-provoking, evoking the vibe of films like The Devil and Daniel Webster and The Devil’s Advocate, or the dialogues between Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling. While the tone and pace may seem simplistic, this approach proves that sometimes less is more.
On its surface, Little Bites might work better as a short story or as part of an anthology series—but the depth of the experience lies in the viewer’s willingness to engage with it. The film is visually striking, featuring sharp makeup and a breakthrough performance from Krsy Fox. Whether you relate as a parent or someone willing to take a metaphorical bite from the devil to protect loved ones, this is the kind of horror that’s easy to digest.
3 STARS
LITTLE BITES IS NOW PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS AND AVAILABLE TO RENT VOD.
Written by: Leo Brady
leo@amovieguy.com
