Nothing quite says passion like making out in a science lab, around a load of mysterious jarred specimens – I mean what could go wrong?
We follow Donna, who has just lost her virginity to Tripp, the local supervisor at the roller skating rink; but did she get more than she bargained for? The title of the film suggests so.
There is some social commentary around abortion and the idea of the nuclear family and the ‘American Dream’. Donna also has the small matter of potentially not being Prom Queen if the whole school finds out.
Cumming’s short works with some dream-like logic, as Donna starts to wonder what her life is gonna be like now, but this is not like any other kind of pregnancy. Cravings include frog corpses from science class.
Baby Fever despite having plenty of body horror feels more like a character study with a compelling performance from Helena Berens as Donna.
There are hints of Henenlotter and Carrie but executed with an oddly comic undertone.
Baby Fever is a chaotic and gory good time.
Baby Fever screens as part of Salem Horror Fest 2023.
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