There’s a sinking feeling watching the opening scenes in “Last Straw.”
The indie thriller features a corrosive Final Girl running through a maze of woke bromides.
Have patience.
The film is both bracing and original despite the feminist trappings. You might even glimpse a pro-life nod when all is said and done.
Young, embittered Nancy (Jessica Belkin) has had better days. She just found out she’s pregnant and hasn’t a clue who the father might be. Her shrug at the possibilities is a tad gross.
She’s forced to work the late shift at her father’s diner. And, at 20, she suffers from standard-issue Gen Z malaise. Oh, and she has a short temper and an odd sense of entitlement.
Are we supposed to root for or against our main character?
Said day gets worse when a coworker (Taylor Kowalski, solid) rebels against her authority. Next, hoodlums enter the diner and test her every last nerve.
This awful day has only begun.
We’ll pump the braves to prevent spoilers, but just know “Last Straw” has some major tricks up its narrative sleeve. First-time director Alan Scott Neal arranges the twists with confidence and clarity. He’s just as good with the young cast, who could have sunk to the genre’s low expectations but never does.
Belkin is tasked with some unfortunate tics. Her character is whiny, unpleasant, entitled and crude… a final girl with a chip on her shoulder. The actress lets Nancy grow over the course of the film in assured ways.
Most of the film takes place in one setting – a Heartland diner that feels warm and familiar. Yet “Last Straw” doesn’t feel cramped in any meaningful way. Try lived in and relatable.
One of the bigger twists strain credulity. Later, our heroine pulls off two resourceful moves in the third act. One will leave you scratching your head while the other is a wonder of simplicity.
Jeremy Sisto doesn’t get much screen time, but the genre veteran delivers as Nancy’s father. He’s both paternal and impatient, but his presence matters. Nancy has some steel in her spine, and he partially explains why.
“Last Straw” doesn’t flood the screen with violence but there’s nary a dull moment. And, at just under 90 minutes, the running time is blissfully perfect.
Some viewers, should they catch “Last Straw” on a streaming platform, may not get to the “good stuff.” The screenplay overdoes Nancy’s plight in decidedly woke fashion. No one takes her seriously! The local sheriff, who rushes to the diner when she places a 911 call, is caught staring at Nancy’s butt.
Cue the eye rolling.
Consider it progressive throat clearing. Once done, settle in for a smart, provocative thriller that upends your expectations in refreshing ways.
HiT or Miss: “Last Straw” bullies past feminist talking points for a smart, original ride around genre limitations.
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