Mug (2026)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

2026 GENREBLAST FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW! 

When Tyler (Axle Burtness) finds out that his girlfriend, Julia (Irene Kuykendall), is some sort of sorceress who turns her sexual partners into mugs, he quickly realizes that he must team up with a telepathic Mug in order to break the curse and stop the cycle of terror that has rained down upon men for years. 

What initially begins as an incredibly low-budget, seemingly intentionally wonky short film transitions into something supposedly bigger. Viewers see a sudden shift in tone, as a young, newly acquainted couple discuss the sexual charades in which they will soon participate at the top of the production. Shortly after, Mug transitions to something otherworldly, something fantastical in nature. When the titular mug (Kwame Rakes) begins speaking to Tyler, the focus shifts. While the premise at this point is laughable, Writer-Director Will Sidaros intends to develop suspense and tension as the aforementioned mug describes his captivity at the hands of Julia. There’s potentially a slight tonal imbalance in Mug, but, for the most part, Sidaros achieves what he sets out to—create a sense of chaos in a world that includes anthropomorphic mugs. 

If you haven’t figured it out just yet, Mug doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it still plays around with the ideas of captivity and mental struggle. Ingrained in the narrative are these themes and ideas, and while they really aren’t meant to play the same role as the comedy, they do remain ever-present as the film drives forward. 

The animation is an important piece of this weirdly, ever-changing puzzle—and I feel that it's absolutely necessary to talk about it. Anyone watching Mug knows this is a low-budget film—and the animation is a fair representation of that. However, as I previously mentioned, Mug (while it possesses some serious qualities) knows not to take itself too seriously. The animation is simplistic, but not out of place, not an eyesore by any means. What impressed me was the fact that the animation, which may initially look out of place, ultimately fits in and works in the grand scheme of the film. Is the animation great? No. But Sidaros never asks it to be; it works for his film. 

In 2023, I watched a film called Hanky Panky, another low-budget film that exceeded expectations in terms of its animated components. Mug, while not entirely different from Hanky Panky, exists in its own space, one that works in the world of cinema. Sidaros knows how to develop comedy…and suspense. While I feel that he’s not quite an expert in the industry yet, I occasionally stumble upon a filmmaker who piques my interest and promises something more than what a singular film can express. Mug is that for Sidaros; and I anticipate, if he’d like to, he will find great success if he fine-tunes his craft. 

Word to the wise: Don’t let her touch your peepee, or you’re done for. 

Written & Directed by Will Sidaros. 

Starring Axle Burtness, Irene Kuykendall, & Kwame Rakes.

7.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING