Crust: A Study In Off-White

You know Sean Whalen. You may not think you know him, but you do. Don’t believe me? Google his name real quick. What you’ll find is a face that you know. You’re not sure exactly where from, but you know it. Is it People Under The Stairs? Is it Cable Guy? Twister? The “Got Milk” commercials? Everyone has a point of reference for Sean that inevitably ends with “ohhh yeah! THAT guy!!” 

When my podcast co-host, Jordan, and I sat down a little over a year and a half ago to interview Sean via zoom, we were fully prepared to talk all things Roach and Axe Murders of Villisca. What we didn’t expect was to be graciously brought along on the journey that’s culminated in Sean’s directorial debut, Crust. 

During that first interview, Sean kept telling us about this script he’d been working on, that he was getting ready to fly out to finish writing with a partner. Even then, there was an air of urgency in how he talked about it, like he was compelled to get this story told. Needless to say, as horror nerds, we were intrigued. 

I’m assuming Sean liked us, since we kept getting emails asking to come back for an update on the movie he was now calling “Crust”.  Fast forward a year and a half and I’ve just finished my second viewing of the advanced screener, and it’s everything I wanted to be, and a few I wasn’t expecting. In a way, it’s sort of a master class in making contradictions work. 

Crust is an old school, schlocky creature feature…but one with heart. It’s a wacky comedy…but with a deeper subtext about mental health and how debilitating and insidious depression can be. It’s a story about reclaiming former glory and what we’re willing to sacrifice to feel seen and heard. And it’s also a love story that’s not afraid to show you how ugly love can be.  Above all else, it’s a very vulnerable and authentic story, straight from Sean’s heart. It’s obvious in every second of this film how much of himself and his love of cinema, specifically genre cinema, Sean put in it. 

And we haven’t even gotten to the cast! Horror icon Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp) takes on a role specifically written for her, and does not disappoint. Ironically, her character is maybe the most grounded in reality (just watch it you’ll see what I mean). Dan Roebuck (The Munsters, US Marshalls, Matlock), turns in a performance that’s equal parts humor and pure pathos. Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller, Twister, Succession) shows up in an absolutely mad cameo. 

But really, the true stars of Crust are Sean and his romantic lead, Rebekah Kennedy. There’s a chemistry between the two that simply cannot be manufactured. Sean embodies the slightly creepy, mostly sympathetic laundromat nerd (yes that’s a thing) while Rebekah plays the most well depicted manic pixie dream girl I’ve ever seen on camera. 

None of these roles would matter, however, without the incredible writing on Sean’s part as well. There’s an authenticity to the dialogue that’s reminiscent of mumblecore legends like Kevin Smith and Tarantino.  Or feels less like you’re watching a scene play out and more like you’re watching a conversation happen that you maybe shouldn’t be privy to. 

Add to ALL of that the fact that Sean chose to shoot in B&W, but with lighting more akin to old universal horror movies than Clerks, and you have something truly special. 

So, whether you’re someone who used to rent Full Moon Features rabidly as a teenager like myself, or a fan of dialogue driven comedy, there’s something here for you. 

written by JB Dunn | September 4, 2024