Trim Season (2023) [Movie review]

Trim Season is about two friends heading out to a remote Marijuana farm for some trim work. It’s supposed to be a two-week gig, but what happens next will surprise you. But only if you have never seen a movie before. Hell, it wouldn’t be out of place in a show aimed at teenagers. That being said, I enjoyed it. But why?

It’s a weed Willy Wonka

The first thing that hit my brain after finishing Trim Season was that it was a Willy Wonka movie. A mysterious figure offers something of value at an unseen work oriented location. You get lured to the mystery space and then realize there is no such thing as a free lunch. Emma is out on her ass after a bad job experience, so her buddy Julia decides to take her on a trip to a Cannabis industry job. Faster than you can say, is that the chick from V? Things go wonky.

Friends split off and head their own way, as the horror elements kick into full gear. Does it reinvent the wheel? No, but Trim Season stays entertaining throughout its duration. But, what made it work?

Love the cast

Alex Essoe has been killing it in horror films for awhile. However, the strength of Trim Season can be found in Bethlehem Million’s performance as Emma. Getting the lead wrong derails so many movies. However, Emma is a believable lead that makes us follow Trim Season that much closer. There are a lot of conventions belonging to 80s slashers and a tidbit of Folk Horror thrown in the mix.

But, overall “Trim Season” is pretty tame when compared to modern fare. If you are expecting this film to go hard, it never does. But Trim Season wears its heart on its sleeve and never stops trying in every single frame.

I’m a big fan of Alexandra Essoe

Seriously, if I could recommend Starry Eyes or her fun turn in Last Stop in Yuma County, I’d recommend them. Such a solid actress that feels closer to a Shelley Duvall type than the modern horror actors. She does more than horror, but she has a natural feel for the genre that we haven’t seen in decades. When I heard she was starring in a movie that was half Folk Horror half Pot take on Suspiria, I wanted to check it out.

Honestly, I felt Trim Season could be better. But, it was well worth a watch.

What about Trim Season works?

Trim Season succeeds when it takes you through the real world into the depths of what can happen off the beaten path. Even in the Modern Era, deep rural stuff can be scary. But, having that Hansel and Gretel style treasure of an easy pot job is a Siren’s call for the desperate. That worked more than the outright horror. Honestly, most of that felt like a mountain of build-up just to get to the visually interesting.

Magical pot granting powers is neat, but it feels more primed for comedy than outright supernatural doings. Maybe it’s because we had a generation of pot comedies, but it kinda kills the horror aspects of pot as a horror threat. Sorry, Dylan!

Sell the casuals on it!

Do you like movies about weed that go wrong? Marijuana makes you angry and you want to see people pay for enjoying themselves? Then, Trim Season is for you!

Trim Season is now playing