Directed by: Kate Herron
Written by: Briony Redman, Kate Herron
Starring: Katharine Bennett-Fox, Mariam Haque, Sophia Di Martino
SMEAR (2017)
Directed by Kate Herron
Being not in possession of a vagina, I have never undergone and likely will never undergo a smear test. However, from what I’ve heard about them I consider this the very definition of male privilege. Playing on both the anxiety women have for the titular tests, along with the ignorance men have for what occurs during them, Smear is a great little horror-comedy short. And, in belated honour of International Women’s Day, you can watch it right here!
Directed by Kate Herron, and co-written with Briony Redman, Smear has spent the last year wowing audiences and critics alike on the festival circuit – including Fright Fest and the London Film Festival. It tells the story of Chloe (Di Martino), a self-conscious smear-test virgin who thinks she’s going in for a routine check-up. Only things don’t go as planned. The results are a tentacle horror, inspired by Gremlins, Tremors and Little Shop of Horrors. Funny, nasty and full of gleefully icky noises. And at just over four minutes, you can see almost as quickly as you’ve read this. I can only assume Smear is a darn sight better than the real thing.
Ha, this is hilarious! Yeah, smear tests aren’t exactly a barrel of laughs, especially if the nurse gives a running commentary whilst conducting it.