HorRHIFFic 2025: ‘Sheryl’ Review
Stars: Anthea Neri Best, Shaan Sharma, Christopher Cendana, Chelsea Spirito, Elise Robertson, Jade Ramirez, Jénel Stevens, Alessandra Marandola, Al Thompson | Written and Directed by Justin Best
Sheryl, directed by Justin Best, offers a darkly satirical exploration of society’s obsession with beauty and perfection. The film centres on the titular Sheryl (Anthea Neri Best) a woman whose pursuit of physical flawlessness leads her down a macabre path of self-destruction and murder.
The film opens with Sheryl in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend, Ted, a narcissistic serial killer. Together, they engage in gruesome acts, but their partnership unravels after a botched murder, leading to their breakup. Ted’s parting words—that Sheryl isn’t “hot enough” end up serving as a catalyst for her descent into madness. Determined to attain the ideal face, Sheryl embarks on a killing spree, harvesting facial features from her victims to construct a grotesque mask reminiscent of some kind of Hollywood-inspired Leatherface. This gruesome endeavour is juxtaposed with her day job at an online beauty magazine, highlighting the pervasive and destructive nature of societal beauty standards.
As Sheryl, Anthea Neri Best delivers a compelling performance, capturing the character’s transformation from a seemingly composed, if psychotic, individual to a completely deranged killer. Her portrayal delves into the psyche of a woman tormented by internalised misogyny and societal pressures, making Sheryl both sympathetic and horrifying. This means as Sheryl transitions back and forth between perfectly put-together woman to feral femme, you truly feel that the unravelling of her psyche is all too real.
The film’s direction by Justin Best is a fantastic blend of horror and dark comedy. Yet, whilst the movie clocks in at a swift 70 minutes, it still manages to address complex issues such as body dysmorphia, societal expectations, and the extremes individuals may go to for acceptance. Where Sheryl truly shines is in the visuals. The cinematography by Carlos Rosas provides a sleek and polished aesthetic that contrasts sharply with the film’s violent content. This visual style, utilising colours and a stark contrast of light and dark, enhances the satirical commentary on the beauty industry and societal standards.
Despite its strengths, Sheryl is not without flaws. The short runtime also doesn’t give much time to explore the film’s themes more deeply – which means some may find the film’s exploration of misogyny and gender dynamics a little too surface-level. The rapid pacing also leaves certain plot elements underexplored. Additionally, the supporting characters, including Detective Reyes, who becomes romantically involved with Sheryl while investigating her crimes, could benefit from more nuanced development to enhance the story’s impact.
Ultimately Sheryl is a provocative film that challenges conventional narratives within the serial killer genre by presenting a female perspective on obsession and societal pressure. While it may not delve as deeply into its themes as some viewers might hope, it offers a fresh and stylish take on horror-comedy, anchored by a strong central performance from Anthea Neri Best. For those that love the horror filled with a mix of gore, dark humour, and social commentary, Sheryl will be right up your street
***½ 3.5/5
Sheryl screened as part of this year’s Romford Horror Film Festival on Thursday, February 27th.
