Fucktoys — NewFest Review
Source: Trashtown Pictures
With her feature directorial debut, Fucktoys, Annapurna Sriram emerges on the scene like a fearless feminine counterpart to John Waters. If Mr. Waters is the Pope of Trash, Sriram stakes her claim as the Princess of Trash. The film itself is even set in the fictional neon-drenched dystopia of Trashtown, USA. The protagonist proclaims, “I love trash!” in a line that doubles as a mission statement for both the character and the filmmaker. Fucktoys is one of the most offbeat, original, and outlandish films of the year. Despite the film’s edginess and mature content, it maintains a playful, whimsical tone, like a hornier version of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.
Source: Trashtown Pictures
Fucktoys dares viewers to either recoil or revel at its madness. It will undoubtedly be an acquired taste. Even those resistant to its brash sensibilities will still respect Sriram’s relentless commitment to her singular vision. She directs with the confidence of a seasoned provocateur, announcing herself as a bold new voice in transgressive cinema.
The film follows AP, played by Sriram herself, a sex worker who discovers she’s been cursed. A tarot card reader (Big Freedia) informs her she’ll need to come up with $1,000 and sacrifice a lamb in order to lift the curse. Thus begins her bizarre journey. She reconnects with her old friend Danni (Sadie Scott), and together they encounter dozens of oddball characters as chaos ensues. However, watching Fucktoys feels less like following a story and more like being dropped into the middle of someone else’s delightfully delirious fever dream.
Sriram doesn’t simply use provocation for shock value. She implements it as a tool to challenge societal norms around gender, sexuality, and capitalism. Her background as an actor clearly informs her approach to directing. She was committed to finding the right actors for the roles, regardless of their level of experience or stardom. Moreover, she coaxes performances from them that are as unhinged and unapologetic as the world they inhabit. Her ensemble embraces the film’s heightened reality with camp and conviction.
Fucktoys blends the filth and flamboyance of a John Waters film with the liberating sexual energy of a Gregg Araki picture and tosses in a dash of David Lynch inspired surrealism, in what ultimately feels like a ‘70s grindhouse film with a modern spin. Yet, despite the inspirations, Sriram’s style still feels entirely unique, and Fucktoys has a rebellious spirit all its own. Some directors take bold swings with their directorial debut, but it’s as if Sriram stepped up to the plate and rewrote the rules of the game mid-inning. She is not in pursuit of mainstream appeal; instead, she trusts that adventurous film lovers will meet her on the film’s wavelength.
The cast and crew of the movie Fucktoys at NewFest
The quirky production design and eccentric sound design deepen the film's off-kilter atmosphere. Trashtown comes alive thanks to Sriram’s attention to smaller details. Whether it’s a sign for a hotel called Fancy Hotel or a Don’t Come Inn, these intricate touches add to the film’s comedic beats. The sound effects are sometimes intentionally on the nose and out of place. For example, when AP is talking about a dog, the sound of a dog barking is added even though there is no dog in the scene. The scene transitions are unconventional and call attention to the fact that we’re watching a film, as Sriram makes it clear she’s not concerned with following filmmaking standards. Fucktoys is a weird and wonderful “fuck you” to cinematic conventions.
Whether audiences love it or loathe it, Fucktoys is the kind of film destined for midnight screenings and cult followings. These types of movies don’t just entertain; they shape subcultures, inspire future rule-breakers, and create a legacy on their own unruly terms. Few filmmakers arrive on the scene with a voice this distinct and unwilling to compromise. Whatever direction Sriram’s career takes next, this debut makes one thing abundantly clear: she’s never going to blend in. She’s here to make a glorious, tacky mess. Equal parts audacious provocation, surreal spectacle, and heartfelt mischief, Fucktoys cements Annapurna Sriram as a filmmaker unafraid to shock, delight, and carve out her own corner of cinema history.
The cast and crew of the movie Fucktoys at NewFest
Fucktoys had its world premiere at SXSW on March 9, 2025. It had its New York premiere on October 10th as NewFest’s U.S. Centerpiece. The film currently does not have an official release date because evidently distributors are a bunch of cowards.
