I Love Your Guts | Dark Comedy Short Film

Two girls working the graveyard shift at a fast food restaurant fend off a belligerent drunk guy while also confronting their own friendship.
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I Love Your Guts
Directed by David Janove
www.davidjanove.com/
"I Love Your Guts is a really hard film to pitch. Is it a coming-of-age story? A slapstick comedy? A gory thriller? All of the above? As film fans, we watch so much that there is a propensity to group films based on what we think they will be. But, I Love Your Guts stubbornly refuses to be classified. No matter where you think this film is going, you’ll be wrong. It’s a teen romp/coming out story/slasher film. In my best efforts to sell it to you all, I Love Your Guts is Booksmart in the streets and Scream in the sheets (don’t worry…I’ll show myself out).
The film’s switch to gore will be a bit much for some - as the title suggests, it definitely leans into gross-out territory. But, beyond the viscera, the film works, ultimately, because it has heart. At its core, this is a female friendship story - a friendship where one participant is also discovering their sexuality. As much as I admire the tonal juxtaposition, the film is carried by the chemistry between these characters. It flirts with potentially cliché territory (the coming out narrative) but finds a subtle and charismatic through-line through potentially rote-material. By the end, we’re just happy these girls have each other, even if that relationship is never meant to progress past the platonic. And, yeah, the film also has an ass stabbing in there for good measure…
It’s worth mentioning that Guts never diminishes the menace of its violence. I have a big problem with comedies that put their characters in life and death situations and then proceed to treat it like one big joke. Characters in mortal peril shouldn’t riff, and, thankfully, writer/director David Janove gets that. Yes, the film has comedic beats (again, the aforementioned ass-stabbing), but the characters are fully entrenched in the horror of it all and there’s an undeniable tension as the unpredictable drunk continues his reign of terror. The comedy comes as a result of the situation, not at the expense of it.
Janove relates his inspiration behind the film:
“Getting fast food late at night, I typically see young people, mostly college kids, manning the drive-thrus. It’s crazy that the responsibility of a restaurant is put on the shoulders of kids in the middle of the night. I used to manage a little 55 seat theater in Hollywood and belligerent drunk guys outside were a common occurrence. Most are harmless, but all are unpredictable. When I was writing the idea, I heard an interview with Phoebe Waller-Bridge where she said (paraphrasing here) that when she writes a character, she likes to imagine them up in a tree and have the other characters throw rocks at her. The two ideas came together as I tried to have things get progressively worse for the main character Kristina.”
Previously featured for his film Lose-Lose, I’m clearly a fan of Janove’s work. He has a knack for crafting comedies that are more than just sketch punchlines. His shorts feel like “films” in the sense that they are complete stories that satisfy without needing to pitch the feature that you don’t get to see. As a lover of the short form, I admire that and I’m hoping we get to see more work from Janove soon." - S/W Curator Ivan Kander
Kristina: Allie McCarthy
Jacqui: Danielle Kay
Drunk Guy: Scott Shilstone
DP: Aser Santos, Jr.
Costumes: Sarah Smithy
Set Decorator: Olivia Dibs
Editors: Cara Bomar and Jordan Towles
Special Effects: Josh and Sierra Russell
Reproduced on this channel with the permission of the filmmakers.

[@tabby393]

OH that ass stab was like wow! I legit felt that

[@gemstar7286]

Who the hell turns their back on someone psychotic *smh* . I was glad when she burnt his face with the fryer .. but why didn't she remove the knife from him .

[@ChelseaLupkin]

I legit yelled 'Oh no' out loud and scared my fiancé. That's clearly a sign of a good film, right? haha

[@LuceroLucifer]

my friend was in the shower and when i screamed he came running out to see if i was alright xD

[@Cement_Feathered_Bird]

Brilliant! I would LOVE to see more adventures with these two... they have a great chemistry and there's enough implied backstory there to offer a real solid base for a series! Here's hoping!

[@brej2002]

Wow this was really good! Just a range of emotions! Great acting on all parts! And excellent storyline! Funny, heartfelt and overall amazing!

[@h7opolo]

gave me all the feels in an extreme way. well done.

[@mzhotniz86]

Honestly though when he grabbed her hand through the window, that freaked me out

[@andrewamador6265]

Right lokey though I went to the comments to not look at the screen since it says GUTS

[@gemstar7286]

Why the hell would she open the window, they knwe he was a weirdo and drunk.

[@mohittiwari137]

Dude...this was really very dark...🤣🤣🤣

[@karaborabs]

I can't stop laughing 😂😂😂and it's 2am.

[@blackpaw29]

So good, amazing performances from all involved and wow it took a dark turn fast, I was legit scared for their safety. Would love to see a followup with Kristina and Jacqui, but it does end at a solid place.

[@ivanobar1]

They could have easily continued after the police arrived. Mire smart humor, and then, maybe bumping into that gut at the hospital, And more fun humor. Yup, lots of potential for a part 2, at least. Great short!

[@alanbryant8457]

I'll be honest. I almost stopped watching. But I'm glad i didn't stop. Well done. This is really good. This has the vibes of Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Clerks.

[@d4mdcykey]

That was freakin' hilarious, very well done.

[@matthewmakowski6463]

That escalated quickly.

[@kerynhartman1957]

This is amazing acting

[@maddy8390]

Absolutely brilliant! 😁😁😁 make it feature! That guy was good too!

[@arthanareeswaran3967]

This is called an Art of Filmmaking :)

[@durasaxon5131]

I was really impressed with this slice of Americana. (The Psycho Guy was intense!) I also thought the storyline was in-depth and the actresses were spot-on for this time period in history. +Richard+ Both babes were super hot! I'm in love with both of them! 5 Stars / * * * * * of 5 Simply put? THE BEST!!!

[@finncarlin7173]

Bro chill

[@michaelsauve3848]

Seems like something Kevin Smith would of done... very nice!!

[@diegotoussaint8831]

So good, their chemistry is amazing.

[@elphbwckd212]

These across deserve better. It started out so good

[@danielstermole1234]

A nice little gem. Lynch & Tarantino would be proud...

[@xxwistfulguyxx3270]

I'm legit obsessed and amazed by their performance and their chemistry, i need to see more from the two of them. PD: and the guy was pretty good too

[@charlieisda1]

Not the flat ass nose on the glass though, lol!

[@brettsmith5903]

Haha OK this was great! Great characters great film work great sound. Hilarious! I love these 2 burger lady's. Haha

[@michaellewis1671]

Felt like it had sooo much potential from the first 2/3 , but man did it spin out fast.

[@uniquepurpose03]

Now that was truly unpredictable, I liked it!!!

[@yazzythecattyweirdo188]

They're so weird and I love it 🤣

[@patchso]

That was surprisingly good. Wow.

[@patrickmuhwheeney6518]

You guys are great! Thanks for the upload!

[@PERIKLISTSINTZAS]

really nice ,and nice acting!

[@elberethfw]

Absolutely brilliant. I subscribed. Would love to see more

[@user-mx7eu8jw7p]

Loved this!

[@dh6785]

So beautiful. Happy beginnings.

[@artchap2861]

it's just work it's just survival damn that traumatic exp? traumatic a exp No romance there

[@MoonboyTV]

this shit was FANTASTIC!!!! great job by all involved.

[@aksharrughani499]

That was great🔥

[@raymundo9950]

Wow this was so good lol

[@judethenagitokinnie]

SO GOOD WTF

[@andlinnpalenkova2637]

This was great

[@liamdeath1799]

love love love

[@tanrose8645]

Well done! 👏👏👏💐 PLEASE Stay 'safe', everyone❣️ Blessed be🌜

[@charliemolina-antazo8366]

Excellent.

[@photorreia]

Wouuuuu!! amazing oppening scene, great acting, cuts...super cool!

[@mandielou]

Everyone is saying this has everything, from a wide range of emotion, even a solid finish but all I keep thinking is they need to wear hairnets or pull their hair back off their shoulders. But I'm also stuck on buffering as she's spitting a loogie. Lol I can't think much else when it's stuck on a loogie hanging out of her mouth. 🤣 The high winds and no power isn't helping my data service.

[@gemstar7286]

That was gross

[@papalazarus5289]

The spilt orange juice continuity error really bugs me, other than that great comedy

[@RvM76]

nice short story

[@totallyinconspicuous2481]

what's the song at the beginning??

[@gothamsouljah1400]

Dope !⚔️

[@billholcomb3601]

Well done.

[@againagain394]

Amazed by all of this

[@shortoftheweek]

We've been watching it on repeat.

[@litnick218]

@@shortoftheweek why were they actin high at the end when they called 911?

[@keane2160]

@@litnick218 adrenaline probably

[@doronron7323]

This is a bad ass movie.

[@desiredecove5815]

Bravo

[@thetribeoflevi2637]

This was a very good movie.

[@inderajones6231]

I also not received too much smiling in this full message both girls seemed to be disappointed the purple girl wants to make a face it as if she wants say something negative that I am ugliest welcome.

[@Cartier_specialist]

That's great.

[@melaniejerrils3671]

Id be like yup no prob ill mk u some frys.

[@bananaman-we1xs]

That stab of him to her was a bit extreme even for my taste.

[@SyedMohammedHadi]

I want to know how did they shoot the hand getting stabbed shot

[@mzhotniz86]

Lol wth

[@willgenre2725]

the cop joke was risky

[@swampfuel20]

👍👍👍!

[@rickh9852]

That was pleasant.

[@ivanobar1]

“Pleasant” is interesting.

[@littlemrpinkness295]

Totally could happen...

[@martinmalone9181]

Bill spikes should be banned. That was a pretty good short tho !!!

[@predragdjuranovic8039]

Amazing girl 😍

[@Marihl4693]

6:16 casi me da un paro cardiaco

[@kerynhartman1957]

Notification gang

[@tamposj.3464]

😂😂😂

[@litnick218]

Why were they actin all high when they called 911 at the end?

[@gemstar7286]

Because they have the mature levels of 13 year old teens. The shock & blood loss might have played a part in it aswell .

[@zombeast23]

🌯 🍕 🌯 🍕

[@LuceroLucifer]

that was awful! I liked it. great little short

[@litnick218]

Yea i like it but why were they actin all high when they called 911 at the end?

[@LuceroLucifer]

@@litnick218 blood loss makes you light headed

[@user-mo3ue1to2o]

Geez

[@zombeast23]

🍕 🌯 🍕 🌯

[@dragonrider9051]

You get a poke, you get a poke, everyone gets a poke. Is this a jab mandate film, "get the vax", lol.

[@ericslagle5362]

Sail

[@kerynhartman1957]

Heyyyy hahha in early

[@TheArtistV1]

Was I the only one rooting for these two to get together???

[@ohnosarmy]

Cute 🥰🙂

[@kerynhartman1957]

Apparently I'm the first like hahah

[@nycgweed]

And the last jajajabinks

[@kerynhartman1957]

@@nycgweed thanks lol hahhahahshvv

[@zombeast23]

🍣 🍙 🍣 🍙

[@andrewrogers1589]

Fact: Trump never laughs = weird

[@francois3483]

Thèse short films are getting worse and worse

[@zombeast23]

🍙 🍣 🍙 🍣

[@mandielou]

Everyone is saying this has everything, from a wide range of emotion, even a solid finish but all I keep thinking is they need to wear hairnets or pull their hair back off their shoulders. But I'm also stuck on buffering as she's spitting a loogie. Lol I can't think much else when it's stuck on a loogie hanging out of her mouth. 🤣 The high winds and no power isn't helping my data service.