In a cinematic cauldron brimming with jump scares, overused tropes, and Blumhouse wannabes, Rumpelstiltskin dares to dance to a different (and deliciously deranged) tune. This small-budget reimagining of the classic Grimm tale spins its own thread of horror, weaving together dark folklore, a dash of profanity, and just enough flair to feel like something found in the haunted attic of a forgotten studio.
The standout, without question, is Joss Carter as the titular imp. Equal parts grotesque, giddy, and gleefully unhinged, Carter doesn’t just chew the scenery—he devours it, spits it out in glitter, and demands your firstborn. Thanks in no small part to the excellent creature design and makeup by Lucy Ioannou, Rumpelstiltskin comes off as a genuinely unsettling figure: think Gollum by way of Pan’s Labyrinth, with a pinch of East End swagger.
The profanity could’ve been dialed back a bit—there are only so many vulgar references to the male and female anatomy you can stuff into a fairytale before it starts to sound like Shrek directed by Quentin Tarantino on a dare—but it mostly works in the film’s twisted tone.
Hannah Baxter-Eve plays Evalina, the peasant girl caught in the infernal bargain. She carries her role with an earnestness that grounds the fantasy—no small feat when you’re asked to emote next to a shrieking goblin in the woods at midnight. Speaking of which, the Haunted Forest deserves its own credit. The film makes excellent use of its locations, with mist-drenched trees and shadowy hollows that give off real atmosphere—kudos to the set design team for stretching the budget without breaking the illusion.
That said, the story stumbles a tad at the finish line. The ending feels like someone yanked the projector cord immediately post-climax, and you’re left blinking in the dark, wondering if that was intentional or just a tragic edit. Still, there’s a charm to the rough edges here—Rumpelstiltskin doesn’t try to be perfect. It just wants to haunt you for a night or two. And frankly, it succeeds. But then, I’m a sucker for returning all things Brothers Grimm to their original dark roots.
If you’re looking for a fun, folklore-fueled flick with a mischievous glint in its eye and dirt under its nails, this one’s worth the watch. Just don’t say his name three times—or you might find him in your living room, cackling over your Netflix queue.
Best watched: Alone, late at night, with all your straw safely accounted for.
Release Date: April 8, 2025 (Digital)
Written/Directed By: Andy Edwards (Punch)
Produced By: Andy Edwards, Becca Hirani
Starring: Hannah Baxter-Eve (Escape), Joss Carter (Tarrot), Adrian Bouchet (“Those About To Die”), Colin Malone, Chris Mills (Space Sharks), Mark Cook
Distributor: Miracle Media
Production Company: Paranoid Android Films
Genre: Horror
Rating: NR
Language: English
Runtime: 97 Minutes