LOVEBUG (2025)
An Independent Film Review
[Film Probe often gets the chance to watch upcoming features made by new directors and filmmakers. This review was written after watching an exclusive preview of 'lovebug' and I have compiled my honest opinions and thoughts to share on the independent feature]
When Douglass is approached by a forceful young woman, he is catapulted into the fast paced world of adult filmmaking.
I was approached by writer, director Blake Kaiser to watch an early release of his newest feature, Lovebug (2025) before it runs the festival circuit in 2025. This film is a dark comedy centred around love, money, greed, vulnerability but most of all manipulation.
Set in the late 1980s, Lovebug (2025) was a genuinely intriguing and ambitious film. Shot with a nostalgic eye and stylised editing, Lovebug (2025) kept my attention through the simplest of moments. Using decade specific costuming and props along with super 8 footage and a yellow wash over the screen to enclose us in the time period.
The roles of Douglass and Gracie were cast brilliantly, both actors brought very real performances and had great chemistry on screen. I particularly enjoyed Douglass’ journey and growth as a character, he transitions from one extreme to the next and I thought his development was perfectly paced. Douglass falls for Gracie instantly, like an innocent puppy he is manipulated and used from the beginning but as a viewer, I remained suspicious of her true intentions. Douglass is a character we want to protect but instead we watch him become corrupted by the world, his character is the central glue to the whole film and the reason I wanted to keep watching.
Lovebug (2025) is split into five chapters, we see Douglass and Gracie’s unconventional relationship grow in each chapter, the romance between them blossoms from perfect strangers into something real, or is it? I liked the addition of chapter headers, it helped ground the film and structure the storytelling. Lovebug (2024) kept me guessing and finished with a brilliant final chapter that was worth the wait. This film was enigmatic and climactic… Lovebug (2025) is set to be released next summer, so be sure to keep an eye out for this unique independent film!
Probe Points
★★★☆☆
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