In her directorial debut, Shudderbugs, Johanna Putnam creates a psychological thriller that examines the pain of losing a parent.
Writer and Director: Johanna Putnam
Genre: Drama, Psychological Thriller
Run Time: 105′
U.S. Release: March 25, 2025
U.K. Release: TBA
Where to Watch: On digital and on demand
The death of a parent is often a traumatic event and one that has been explored in film numerous times. But in her debut feature, Shudderbugs, writer and director Johanna Putnam does something that we don’t see very often: she takes her time. While there are a number of moments that make this movie feel like a traditional thriller, the way that the story unfolds keeps it from falling into the same pattern that films with similar setups tend to follow.
Samantha Cole (Johanna Putnam) returns to her childhood home following the sudden and mysterious death of her mother. As she sorts through the emotions of losing a parent she loved, Sam begins to wonder if there is something more nefarious going on. Whether it is Brenda (Liv Rooth) calling about her mother’s lapsed insurance policy, the notoriously difficult-to-pin-down medical examiner, or her odd neighbor, Noah (Brennan Brooks), who seems to be lurking around, Sam finds herself growing ever more paranoid.
Shudderbugs demands your full attention. Because the movie reveals itself slowly and with limited dialogue, it can be easy to zone out, but it is worth redoubling your efforts. There are scenes that could have been truncated and moments that could have been edited out to shorten the run time, but none are wasted time. Each second with Sam allows us to see how her mother’s death affects her mindset and ultimately impacts her actions.
Outside of a couple of flashbacks, the only people on screen are Putnam and Brooks, and the bulk of that is Putnam. With his limited time in the film, Brooks is able to ride a fine line between being foreboding on his own and being foreboding because that’s what we expect out of a character like him. Since we see him exclusively through Sam’s distorted lens, we believe things about him that are simply not true, and that is a testimony to his performance.
Shudderbugs wouldn’t have worked if Putnam had been unable to convey the complexity of Sam’s character, and she offers a sublime performance. The film has limited dialogue, so we depend on Putnam’s physical presence on the screen to gain insight into what Sam is experiencing, and she delivers that in spades. She brilliantly shows the increasing paranoia without falling into clichés that would have undermined the story.
Another aspect of the film that helps strengthen the atmosphere is the excellent sound design. In a movie with minimal speaking, it is essential for the sounds of nature to help build the story, and sound designer Eric Elterman creates a gorgeous soundscape for the film to rest upon. The sound of a creaking door, a bug’s wings fluttering, or a breeze rustling the wind chimes all add tension to various scenes without simply becoming moments for jump scares. Coupled with the beautiful cinematography of Brennan Brooks, the viewer is pulled into Sam’s world. Shudderbugs doesn’t cheapen itself with dark and broody shots but instead shows the world in bright color, which contrasts beautifully with the increasing dread that Sam is experiencing.
In 2014, my mother passed away. Because of the nature of her illness, we knew that she had limited time left, but there was still an element of shock to it. I still find myself grieving her at unexpected moments. Shudderbugs is a powerful thriller that examines how unprocessed grief can overwhelm you and cause you to act out in ways that are harmful. The titular “shudderbugs” were simply gut feelings that Sam’s mom would have. The film serves as a poignant reminder that when we’re in the throes of sorrow, perhaps our intuition is not a reliable metric for how to behave. And it does that in a beautiful and unique way.
Shudderbugs: Movie Plot & Recap
Synopsis:
When Samantha Cole’s mother dies unexpectedly and under somewhat mysterious circumstances, she returns to her childhood home to tie up her mother’s affairs and process her grief.
Pros:
- Exceptional performance from Putnam
- Beautiful sound design and cinematography
- Avoids many of the tropes associated with thrillers
Cons:
- Limited dialogue can challenge a viewer’s ability to pay attention
- Sometimes can feel slow
Shudderbugs is now available to watch on demand in the U.S.
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