Thinestra (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

When Penny (Melissa Macedo/Michelle Macedo) is offered a new, experimental drug that might help her lose weight, she can’t help but take advantage of the opportunity. Thinestra, however, comes with side effects–forcing out of Penelope a savage, blood-thirsty monster; proving that weight loss takes sacrifice. 

This concept is one incredibly similar to the recent A24 success, The Substance. A woman struggling with her appearance is willing to do whatever it takes to fit into the confines of what is considered attractive, at least this week. So, with the concept of Thinestra being a bit derivative of something that came out only last year, it can sometimes be challenging to remain focused, unaware of the dark turns that are surely on the horizon. Thinestra will become a bit too challenging for those viewers familiar with the aforementioned success, but that doesn’t mean it’s a failure–but rather that it faces a series of obstacles which it will have to overcome. 

For the most part, I believe that Thinestra does manage to separate itself enough from that other film and create a bond with viewers that is able to transcend the majority of its narrative. Much of that success comes from the performance of the Macedos, as they present both serious and satirical versions of the modern woman. Penelope is headstrong, written well in this regard. The character is able to exist in a place where she is both powerful and vulnerable, and the Macedos bring her to life in a way that makes that abundantly clear to viewers. The juxtaposition in this character isn’t only a win for the Macedos, but a testament to the writing of Writer Avra Fox-Lerner as it’s clear her ability to develop dynamic characters that are both accessible and intentionally convoluted. 

The development of Penelope is enough to consider Thinestra a success, but there are aspects of this film that fall short of expectations. The length of the film is an issue that I can’t overlook. Recently, I have become more critical of the length of films. Does a concept warrant a feature-length film? Is there too much information stuffed into a short film? Thinestra falls into the category of not quite enough content to warrant a feature film. Don’t misunderstand, there is a fully-developed story present in this film, but I’m not sure that the film needs to be nearly an hour and a half long. A far shorter, forty-five minutes would have been more than enough. There are moments in the film that are too long, too drawn out; they are unnecessary hurdles standing in the way of Thinestra’s success. 

Back to the good. Thinestra relies, in part, on harrowing visuals meant to symbolize how Penelope spirals throughout the course of the narrative. While the hair and makeup used to bring these sentiments to life are often simplistic, that simplicity frequently allows the film to remain more grounded than it could have otherwise been. The visuals are fun, entertaining, and a warranted supplement to the narrative. 

Thinestra is a film with a powerful message, though it’s one that lacks some originality–effectively presenting viewers with a story almost identical to The Substance. Though, its twists and turns are unique, and the development of the film’s protagonist is impressive. Thinestra employs some original elements, enough that it can stand on its own, enough that the film ultimately finds success. 

Directed by Nathan Hertz. 

Written by Avra Fox-Lerner.

Starring Melissa Macedo, Michelle Macedo, Annie Ilonzen, Brian Huskey, Alexandra Lubenova, etc. 

7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE