Film Reviews & Movie Analysis

Written & Directed by Ali Gill

A dispirited barber is tormented by the fact that no one believes him when he discovers the beloved local Politician is turning into a donkey (12 mins).

This movie goes left. And I don’t mean that politically.

With Nabhaan Rizwan in the lead, Party Animal plays like a dark modern-day retelling of The Emperor’s New Clothes. Rizwan’s performance hinges on his expressions rather than dialogue; we read on his face confusion, defeat and self loathing as he continues to play along with the politician’s charade. It’s uncomfortable, funny, and hits home every time.

There is a lot to recommend this movie; from the score which leans into Rizwan’s internalised emotions which circle on ‘what is my life?‘, to the cinematography which utilizes low angles and dim murky lighting to exacerbate the unsettling sense that Rizwan might be living in the Twilight Zone.

In just twelve minutes, Party Animal touches on class, social performance, the cost of belonging, and the way echo chambers isolate us while demanding conformity. It’s an absurdist dramedy that Yorgos Lanthimos would be proud of – sharp, strange, and just grounded enough to sting. It reminds us that sometimes you just have to scream into a hole in the woods and move on with your day.

Curious about Party Animal (2025)? You can learn more about the short film here.