Jodie Comer takes on an unconventional musical role in “Stuffed,” a peculiar debut feature that tackles an unusual premise with unexpected heart. Directed by Theo Rhys and adapted from his BAFTA-nominated short film, the project premiered at the Toronto Film Festival alongside Comer’s other high-profile release “Prima Facie.” While that adaptation offers audiences a familiar showcase of her talents, “Stuffed” ventures into far more experimental territory, presenting a darkly comedic pop-opera centered on taxidermy and romance.
The film stars Comer alongside Harry Melling as Bernie, a lonely factory worker, and Araminta, an isolated amateur taxidermist fascinated with preserving human bodies through her unconventional art. The central narrative—advertising for a volunteer to be permanently transformed into a preserved artwork—carries potential for genuine horror, yet Rhys achieves something surprisingly tender instead. Comer and Melling deliver committed performances that ground the film’s extreme strangeness with authenticity, with Melling’s melancholic features particularly effective in conveying both comedy and tragedy.
Composer Joss Holden-Rea’s original musical score draws inspiration from contemporary Broadway traditions, bringing earnest emotion to the macabre subject matter. The production design by Beck Rainford captures a charmingly decrepit Northern England aesthetic that balances whimsy with decay. Though the film initially struggles to calibrate between its bizarre premise and sentimental execution, it gradually discovers emotional resonance. The material rewards patient viewers willing to embrace its distinctive vision and unconventional romance.
Originally reported by Variety →
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