Natalie D.C.
Mumblecore is a relatively recent subgenre of American independent filmmaking, coined by sound mixer Eric Masunaga at the 2005 South by Southwest Film Festival. Primarily focused on naturalistic acting, dialogue over plot, and interpersonal relationships among young adults, mumblecore is associated with a wide range of notable American filmmakers, from Adam Wingard to Greta Gerwig. After just over two decades, what’s missing from this subgenre might be what once made it known in the first place: low-budget passion projects from young, first-time filmmakers.
Written and directed by American filmmaker Sabrina Greco in her feature debut, Lockjaw (2025) brings indie charm back to the mumblecore movement as it follows Rayna (Blu Hunt), a young woman who, six weeks after a drunk driving accident that leaves her jaw wired shut, tries to have a fun night out with her friends. Gripping and comedic, Lockjaw premiered at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival and is slated for a VOD/digital premiere from Magenta Edge Films on September 8.
The film opens on the night of Rayna’s accident as the 20-something deliberates with her friends Mitch (Colin Burgess) and Noah (Kevin Grossman) on how to get home in her wasted condition. While the young men fight over who gets to take her home (jealous arguments a seemingly common occurrence between the two), impulsive Rayna not-so-subtly sneaks off with her car keys, causing an accident whose ramifications haunt her long after the deed is done.
Six weeks later, while Rayna and Mitch (now a couple) prepare to go to their first party together since the accident, one thing is made clear: Lockjaw’s quick-witted stars carry an otherwise unremarkable script. As the night descends into mind-numbing absurdity, the group’s chemistry with one another—especially Hunt’s impressive jaw-wired-shut performance—is a highlight of a film that brings a fresh perspective to its genre.
As Rayna whines, bickers, and flirts her way to a strange show led by a supposedly psychic magician named Robert (Nick Corirossi of The Napa Boys), the audience starts to see the young protagonist’s unpredictable behavior as less quirky and more as a cry for help. Seeking to capture the fun energy of her nightlife pre-DUI, Rayna finds herself invited to Robert and his artistic wife Cleo (Ally Davis)’s home, where she proceeds to make even worse decisions.
It is at this clown-ridden house, the film’s final stop, where realistic characters become grating and novel situations grow dull. While there is a charming dynamic between young, awkward Rayna and Mitch and older, pretentious Robert and Cleo (not unlike the second season of Beef), jokes of nobody being able to understand Rayna with her jaw wired shut and Robert the Magician making remarks reminiscent of a weird uncle start to overstay their welcome.
Granted, Greco tries to shake things up in this last act by giving Rayna heart-to-hearts with several characters, including a friend from the original party, Annabelle (Sally Sum), Cleo, and even Robert the Magician himself. While certainly comedic, these scenes do little but offer side characters a stage for their idiosyncrasies (Annabelle’s desperation for a friend, Cleo’s affinity for drama, and Robert’s love for the sound of his own voice) rather than develop Rayna’s character, namely her hard-to-pin-down motivations that drive the plot forward.
“What’s the point of not drinking if you’re gonna act out anyway?” This poignant question is posed to Rayna by Cleo in Lockjaw’s final moments, putting the film’s heartfelt thesis into words: unchecked alcoholism and forced sobriety can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to having fun with friends.
While the comedy understandably prioritizes absurd bits over serious discussions between characters, it wouldn’t have hurt to sneak a few more honest scenes between Rayna and Mitch, the closest of the group, jaw wiring be damned. All in all, however, a dedicated cast, confident direction, and cozy color-grading perfect for a perpetually nocturnal film make Greco’s Lockjaw an impressive directorial debut that successfully recaptures the magic of mumblecore.
