Halloween seemed to fly by this year—I barely made it to any haunted houses or ghost tours before Thanksgiving’s brown-and-orange gloom settled in. My antidote? Heading to the Byrd on Tuesday, November 19th for the premiere of WIGGLERS by Seyla Hossaini, alongside The Dirt Eater by Jim Stramel, Traders by Olivia Gropp, and Doctor Drain Brain by Christopher Jamal Elston.
I had the chance to catch an early version of the headlining film, “WIGGLERS” is a horror comedy that centers around the dangers and antics of getting too comfortable with some party substance. The film follows PJ, a young party animal with a flair for the dangerous. She gives in to every idea or voice that pops into her head, straining all the relationships in her life. With no self control she dives deeper and deeper into her drug addiction, and becomes more and more foreign to the world around her.
When asked about the protagonist, Hossaini explained:
“The main character, PJ, was created with my close friend and lead actress, Oliv Hampton, in mind. I’d been thinking about this character for a while, but PJ truly came alive when I started picturing Oliv in the role. PJ isn’t a bad person—she’s just a bit lost, guided by impulse and excitement. She’s not a reflection of Oliv or myself, but we both channeled some of our own worst traits and flaws into her personality. Creating PJ gave us both an outlet.”
With its unmistakably Richmond vibe, the film’s characters feel like they could be plucked right from a corner booth at Babes. For Hossaini, this project holds deep personal significance: “In terms of inspiration, I’m completely captivated by body horror as a genre. In my work with actors, I emphasize physical expression—how things like anxiety, depression, and addiction manifest in the body. My own anxieties and trauma inevitably shape my work, and in this piece, I’m addressing a certain culture in Richmond (and other cities too) that often entraps artists, musicians, and service industry folks.”
The ambiance of each scene is absolutely on point, giving the film total immersion. Whether you are in the club dancing, or in a room that might make you vomit, you are right there with the characters. The cinematography is sharp and clean (unlike many of the characters) and offers some gorgeous frames throughout the film. The color selection really blew me away. The whole production is full of a rich pink haze, a glow that seems to radiate something powerful. This all sets the scene for some really witty and creative writing that snaps from comedy to horror in an alluring and indulging rhythm.
This film packs some real surprises. There’s a scene I’m dying to discuss, but you’ll have to catch it yourself at the Byrd to experience its full, eerie effect! Hossaini offers a final word for audiences: “I wouldn’t call this ‘not for the faint of heart,’ but some may find it unsettling. If you or someone close has struggled with addiction, parts of the story may resonate. And, of course, be ready to laugh—I can’t help but add humor to everything I create. I hope everyone takes something away, but most importantly, enjoy the ride.”
Get your tickets HERE.
