‘The Scary Of Sixty-First’
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve seen a new movie or show that GOES THERE. And believe me, The Scary Of Sixty-First, the directorial debut from Dasha Nekrasova — who you might know as the co-host of the Red Scare podcast, or perhaps as Kendall Roy’s crisis PR agent / Cousin Greg object of affection Comfry on Succession — DEFINITELY GOES THERE! This super low budget indie revolves around two young women who move into a new apartment in the Upper East Side of New York City, only to discover that the apt was last used as a sex-trafficking, bunga bunga style crashpad by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. From there, this cautionary tale about the horrors of the NYC real estate rental experience spins off in increasingly bizarre directions: Epstein/Royal Family conspiracy theories, Rosemary’s Baby style cultiness/paranoia, and explorations of sexual deviancy that give off some serious Eyes Wide Shut vibes. If you don’t have a strong stomach (or a sense of humor), stay away, but this winner of the Best First Feature prize at the 2021 Berlinale will delight those looking for a unique viewing experience to start their 2022 off with a bang.