Jollyface – Movie Review | Fantastic Fest (4/5)

JOLLYFACE world-premiered at Fantastic Fest 2026. It’s the kind of horror-thriller that hits hard. The storyline deals with real-life issues, which also means it’s full of social commentary. That’s something I really like, and even seek out, but I know it’s not for everyone. Some people prefer their genre film to be an escape, not a reminder. Read our full Jollyface movie review here!

JOLLYFACE is a horror-thriller with a social commentary plot that works extremely well. At times, you’ll wonder if something supernatural is lingering, but it’s much worse: It’s inspired by real life. That’s always the kind of horror that hits the hardest for me.

The cast is fairly small, and most of the storyline plays out in one apartment building. However, it never gets too slow or repetitive, so be ready to hang on for dear life. It hits really hard! It’s also worth noting that the runtime is just 77 minutes, and it’s used damn well.

Continue reading our Jollyface movie review below.

Weaponized racism

There are plenty of elements in Jollyface that could annoy people. The kind of people who “don’t see color” might not understand this. Or rather, they don’t want to acknowledge the importance and realism of this story. And no, I’m not saying Jollyface is based on a true crime case. However, I am saying that it was probably inspired by some of the extreme cases where black people are hurt or killed.

That’s not a spoiler, but the fact of the matter is that Jollyface has a plot that really kicks into gear when a loving and kind black man is murdered. The case is quickly labeled “black on black crime”, which almost seems like this also means the murder has been solved. Or that it’s impossible (or even unnecessary) to work on.

The victim is Nick, and his girlfriend Blair is left in extreme despair. And also, despite her earnest and well-meaning intentions, she ends up taking on the classic “white savior” persona, which does not help the grieving black community. Nick was black, Blair is white – and blonde, which almost makes their difference stand out even more.

What happens next is that Blair, in her attempt to find the killer, ends up drawing more attention than is good for her. As a result, she just might be the next victim… unless another person of color gets in the way of the killer’s wrath.

A human killer or one crafted by society

What makes Jollyface such a brutal, yet fascinating, watch is that the killer is very human. However, the killer also seems to be emboldened, crafted, even actively used by a society that wants to change things. Or “society” isn’t accurate here, as it isn’t the society at large. Then again, the collective indifference of yet another dead black man, and acceptance of what the police claim to be the facts of the case, is a societal problem.

Look, I recognize this sounds more like a drama than a horror-thriller, but I’m simply giving you the premise and framework of this plot. The actual movie is one long survival battle, with revenge and racism as the respective drivers.

Starring in Jollyface are Emily Kimball (Dexter: Resurrection, 3 Body Problem), Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar), Alexis Louder (Night After Night, The Changeling), Jacob Bridges, and Glen Llanes. Also, Jeff Fahey (The Long Night) plays a key role, though it’s almost a cameo.

Jollyface world premiere at 2026 Fantastic Fest

Justin Floyd is the writer and director of Jollyface. I wasn’t at all sure what to expect from this horror thriller, but the storyline and acting hit damn hard. I loved everything about this movie, and while you can enjoy this as just a brutal serial killer and survival story, you’ll miss out on something.

You ought to take it all in and acknowledge what this movie is trying to tell the world.

With a world premiere at Fantastic Fest, this movie should get a lot of attention, and hopefully a wider release. I hesitate to compare it to anything, but also feel I should mention what it made me think of. As it evolved, it made me think of both Get Out and Us, though be aware that the plot of Jollyface is something else entirely. Still, if it had stated that Jordan Peele was a producer, it wouldn’t have surprised me one bit. Check it out when you can!

Jollyface world premieres at Fantastic Fest 2026. We’ll update this review with further release information when we have it.

Details

Director: Justin Floyd
Writer: Justin Floyd
Stars: Emily Kimball, Kofi Siriboe, Alexis Louder, Jacob Bridges, Glen Llanes, Jeff Fahey