The Birth of a Mall Goth (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

Gemma (Lola Blue) has become goth overnight–and May (Emily Carey), her sister, is determined to understand why. As May discusses the various challenges she faces each and every day, a greater understanding of the world is put in perspective. 

The most unique aspect of The Birth of a Mall Goth is May’s constant willingness to break the fourth wall. She constantly looks directly at the camera, as if viewers were present in the film, available for discussion. She speaks directly to us, and that allows viewers a better opportunity to appreciate the sentiments presented by the film’s protagonist. Writer-Director Samantha Locock’s decision to repeatedly break the fourth wall allows May to become charming, as Carey does a spectacular job of presenting as the innocent sleuth of sorts.

May’s slightly unkempt appearance resonates with viewers, as it strengthens the understanding of her innocence and helps to form a bond between her and those watching. While the breaking of the fourth wall is meant to represent something akin to a conversation, much of The Birth of a Mall Goth actually feels like a conversation. May makes us feel welcome, like we’ve been aquainted–and her calming presence helps the film to remain grounded and accessible–permitting that aforementioned charm to emanate from the screen. 

Additionally, The Birth of a Mall Goth is intimate, a film that, again, feels like a conversation between friends. However, that comes to be as a result of more than just Carey’s acting or the use of fourth-wall breaking. The cinematography, facilitated by Director of Photography Toby Martin, remains right on the line between intrusive and intimate, never overstepping, and remaining accessible and effective as a result. By often using close-up shots of the film’s main character, viewers are able to better understand her point of view, able to better appreciate her perceived conundrum. Nearly all of The Birth of a Mall Goth’s success stems from the connection that Locock and her team are able to create between viewers and May. 

The one issue with The Birth of a Mall Goth, however, is the fact that the thick accents make it incredibly challenging to understand some of what is being said. It’s clear the depth present in the dialogue and in May as a whole–but I also know that I missed some of the inspirational information. Blue’s accent poses the biggest threat to The Birth of a Mall Goth, and I found myself frustrated, but more often disappointed in the fact that I could be missing valuable information pertinent to the film and its purpose. 

Nearly every bit of success stems from the use of fourth-wall breaking and May’s development throughout the course of The Birth of a Mall Goth. Where the film fumbles to a degree, however, is the gap existing between viewers and some of the intendedly-deep content that can’t be understood as a result of Blue’s challenging accent. The Birth of a Mall Goth presents viewers with charming information, delivered by an equally-charming Emily Carey, and regardless of the bumps along the way, Locock’s film is a success. 

Written & Directed by Samantha Locock. 

Starring Emily Carey & Lola Blue. 

8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING