Blockhead – FrightFest 2025 Movie Review
First Reaction – Blockhead takes us down an uncertain process of a struggling novelist.
Where to Watch
Blockhead receives its world premiere at FrightFest on 23 August 2025.
Director: Matt Harlock
Writer: Matt Harlock (Screenplay)
Cast
- Joe Sims (Broadchurch)
- Kellie Shirley (Odyssey)
- Simon Meacock (Matriarch)
- Danny Horn
- Laila Pyne
Plot: A failing novelist desperate for inspiration thinks his muse appears to him in the form of a drunk, psychotic decorator. As his novel takes shape, his life spirals and erupts into a violent chaos, but his next piece could just possibly be genius.
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Blockhead starts when struggling novelist Will Mercer (Horn) struggles to find inspiration for his latest work. He believes he has found a new muse in a psychotic decorator Mikey (Sims). Will begins putting the words together for his novel, despite having twisted visions.
However, he starts questions his reality and what is there to help him. Will struggles to understand what is happening and find the best solution to his creations.
Verdict on Blockhead
Recap
The movie follows a struggling novelist who gets a strange new muse in a psychotic decorator. However, he begins questioning his reality as the deadline for his latest novel gets closer.
Best Parts
The movie thrives on a broken novelist struggling to complete their latest novel. It shows the spiralling out of control situation the author is going through. This keeps us feeling uneasy with the style of shooting, reflecting on the mind of the people around them. We get brilliant performances throughout which help things thrive throughout.
Worst Parts
It can be a little bit too jarring at times, with the reality bending which can become overly complicated in places.
Final Thoughts –Blockhead thrives on the uncertain mindset Will goes through.
