When a college kid goes to a new place to get a haircut, he discovers that his barber is a psychopath.
Kyle Misak’s latest film, “Bad Haircut,” is clearly shaped by the legacy of Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs,” which came out in 1991. Nearly every scene in Misak’s movie carries a trace of Demme’s touch—most evident in the casting of Frankie Ray as Mick, the main villain. Ray’s performance brings to mind Ted Levine’s turn as Jame Gumb (Buffalo Bill), though the similarities end with the character’s menace. Instead of mimicking spoof-heavy comedies like “Airplane” or “The Naked Gun,” Misak leans into a blend of horror and comedy, keeping the tone light while letting the audience in on the film’s sense of fun.
The plot revolves around Billy (Spencer Harrison Levin), a shy young man whose friends Sonny (Beau Minniear) and Dee (R.J. Beaubrun) drag him to a barbershop, hoping a new haircut from Mick will help him fit in. After Sonny and Dee get their hair done, they leave Billy behind with Mick and head off to shop for clothes. From the start, Billy feels uneasy around Mick, and that discomfort only deepens as the day goes on.
Billy’s instincts prove right. As the afternoon wears on and the barbershop empties, he stumbles upon evidence that Mick has abducted a girl named Sam (Nora Freetly), who he’s holding in the basement. Things spiral when Mick kills a police officer and forces Billy downstairs, where Mick’s associate, Wimp (Martin Klebba), stands guard with a gun. Trapped and desperate, Billy must find courage, save Sam, and try to escape alive.
Although the film is set almost entirely in the barbershop, Misak keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. The movie pays tribute to horror-comedies from the 1980s and 1990s, especially in how it amplifies Billy’s anxiety for laughs. As the story unfolds, Billy gradually sheds his timidity and grows into an unlikely hero.
Frankie Ray’s version of Mick isn’t as chilling as Jame Gumb—he’s more of a broken, misunderstood man whose longing for affection takes a disturbing turn. There’s a tragic edge to his attempts at love, making him both unsettling and oddly sympathetic. In one memorable moment, Mick admits to Sam that he just wants to love her, to which she bluntly replies that love isn’t something you can force.
“Bad Haircut” pulls off a tricky mix of scares and laughs. It avoids going too dark or relying on easy jokes, allowing the cast to deliver consistently strong performances—especially Levin and Ray, who make every scene together pop. Ray’s Mick fascinates whether he’s dancing wildly or sporting a garish retro suit; his need for connection is always present, even as it leads him down terrible paths.
All in all, “Bad Haircut” stands out as a smart, entertaining entry in the horror-comedy genre. Its seamless blend of tension and wit sets it apart from similar films, leaving a lasting impression.
“Bad Haircut” had its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025 on Thursday, September 18th
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Thank you for your kind review it was an amazing I love fantastic fest a heart felt booping be unto you. Frankie “Mick” Ray.
Hey… I can be a burger. Get tie in? The sequal. The Mick taco?
You’re very welcome, Frankie. I had a blast with the film and you were the highlight of it for me. 🙂