There are films that make you uncomfortable—and then there are films like Bagworm that make you feel that discomfort in your bones.
During our coverage of South by Southwest, we sat down with director Oliver Bernsen and actor Peter Falls to unpack one of the most visceral and unpredictable films of the festival.
At first glance, Bagworm sounds almost absurd: a hammer salesman steps on a rusty nail, and everything spirals from there. But what unfolds is something far more layered—a mix of body horror, psychological unraveling, and unexpected emotional depth.
One of the film’s most talked-about moments comes early—and it’s impossible to ignore. The camera doesn’t cut away. It doesn’t soften the blow. Instead, it forces you to experience the pain alongside the character.
As Bernsen explained, that choice was intentional. If a moment is meant to change someone’s life, the audience needs to feel it too.
And you do.
But what makes Bagworm stand out isn’t just its intensity—it’s its complexity. Carol, the film’s central character, is messy, uncomfortable, and at times difficult to watch. Yet somehow, you still find yourself sympathizing with him.
That balance was one of the film’s biggest challenges.
As Falls shared, the goal wasn’t to make Carol likable—but to make him human.
That humanity becomes even more apparent as the film shifts tone. What starts as something chaotic and borderline absurd slowly evolves into something more introspective. By the second half, the film peels back layers, exposing vulnerability in a way that feels almost disarming.
And then there’s the ambiguity.
Is Carol’s experience real? Or is it all in his head?
The film never gives you a clean answer—and that’s exactly the point.
Bagworm thrives in that uncertainty, forcing viewers to sit with discomfort, question what they’re seeing, and ultimately reflect on the fragile line between physical reality and psychological breakdown.
It may not be an easy watch for some.
But it’s one you won’t forget.
Watch the full interview with Oliver Bernsen and Peter Falls above.
