RAT! follows a disgruntled music journalist who accuses a global, Harry Styles-adjacent pop star of queerbaiting, leading the singer’s devoted fans to seek retribution at the journalist’s remote cabin. Inspired by horror-comedy features in the vein of SCREAM and YOU’RE NEXT, the short draws on laughs and scares in equal measure with underlying social commentary on digital footprint and queerbaiting. RAT! features a stellar comedic cast including Tyler Joseph Ellis, Caitlin Reilly (HACKS, CORA BORA), and Charles Gould (SEARCH PARTY, 2022 Tribeca short UNICORN).
RAT! premiered at Palm Springs International ShortFest in 2024, where the film was nominated for Special Jury Awards for Best Midnight Short, Best LGBTQ+ Short and Best Comedy Short, in addition to screening at AFI FEST, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, Popcorn Frights, Atlanta Film Festival, Frameline, and American Cinematheque’s Proof Film Festival where it picked up a Special Mention from the jury.
