MARCH 7, 2023 | In the Mouth: A Giant Version of Himself Appears
In the Mouth is an upcoming black comedy that explores the anxieties of a man who becomes homebound after an enormous, literal, and quite literal,version of himself appears in his front lawn.
Colin Burgess portrays Merl, a nervous recluse whose fear of the outside world becomes a lot easier to understand when a colossal double begins blocking his escape. However, staying inside becomes a new problem, as Merl has run out of money and only has a couple of days before he has to pay rent.
His solution? Find a roommate.
Paul Rothery portrays Larry, a man of an older age that appears to be Merl's answer to his financial troubles, at least for the time being. Unfortunately for Merl, Larry's presence begins to complicate things for him as well.
Cory Santilli both writes and directs In the Mouth. The feature blends black comedy, science fiction, and psychological discomfort to create a creepy and bizarrely funny two hour and twenty-three minute film.
Merl's inability to get past his front lawn becomes a very real and very large burden.
Merl is described as a nervous and worried man who has withdrawn himself from almost all of normal everyday human interaction, and for good reason. The movie begins with the final step in his withdrawal from society, with a very large and very literal burden.
This strange and very large obstruction literally traps Merl in his home, and creates an instantly impossibly large and very unmanageable barrier for the character's existing anxiety about the world. The movie explains neither the existence of the gigantic figure or how everyone else perceives it, giving the character's anxiety and fears an even larger and more ominous presence.
The Numbers categorizes the film as a live-action science-fiction comedy. Apple TV categorizes it as a comedy and thriller.
For audiences encountering the title through Moviesbox, the central premise is strange rather than a conventional monster-movie setup.
Money Forces Merl To Find A Roommate
Being trapped at home is hard enough, but Merl has a practical deadline.
He has run out of money.
Apple TV's official synopsis explains that he has only 5 days to pay his rent before his landlord can legally evict him. Unable to go outside and address the problem like he normally would, Merl decides to rent a part of his home to someone who is willing to pay it in advance. This is the case with Larry.
Larry's Arrival Threatens Merl's Safety and Security
Merl loses more of his safe and protected environment with the arrival of Larry.
This is a thriller with a Sci-Fi twist that meets some traditional monster-movie tropes. It explores the conflict of a man's fight for his home and the danger he faces beyond his door.
Paul Rothery plays Larry, Merl's new roommate.
Paul Rothery plays Larry, Merl's new roommate.
Recent publicity describes Larry as someone who is outwardly friendly but has a complicated past and connections that Merl doesn't immediately understand. (BroadwayWorld)
This changes the film's central question.
Merl is facing a more complicated situation than a choice between the strange danger outside vs. the security of staying inside.
Larry undermines that distinction.
Merl assumes that if his friend is there too, and if the outside world feels threatening, then he can't rely on isolation to avoid issues.
Sage Francis and Earl Fechter (as Detective Mann) are also in the cast. Caren Lioce and Jeffrey Alan Solomon (as Pancake) are also in the cast. (IMDb)
For viewers searching terms like 'moviebox new update download', these are the principle cast details they will find.
Cory Santilli is Writer, Director and Editor
Cory Santilli takes a unique level of creative control over In the Mouth.
He wrote the movie and directed it and is also credited with the editing.
Tatiana Bears and Jesse Muro produced the movie, and Kubilay Uner composed the score. Jesse Muro also took production design. Mike Magilnick was the cinematographer. (IMDb)
The movie is in black and white, and the surreal nature of the story helps to offset some of the existential dread it explores. IMDb lists some of the filming locations as Providence and Cranston, Rhode Island. (IMDb)
The runtime is 83 minutes, which is relatively short for a movie tackling a wide range of genres like absurdist comedy, thriller and drama.
Its unique approach earned attention in the festival circuit, including a Jury Honorable Mention at Slamdance and the Best Screenplay Award at the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival (Fantaspoa).
The Giant May Not Be Merl's Only Problem
Of course, figuring out how to get rid of the giant Merl is a big part of the film, but it touches on other issues as well.
The bigger picture concerns Merl's relationship with fear.
He has already arranged the entirety of his life in order to avoid the outside world. The giant makes that avoidance seem physically justified, but Larry's arrival introduces a danger that can not be kept beyond the door.
That helps provide the movie with an intentionally strange psychological structure.
The outside danger, in a way, represents Merl himself.
The inside danger is, in a way, Larry.
What is known at the moment about Larry, the giant and Merl's resolution is best left unconfirmed as opposed to speculated and / or fabricated.
In the Mouth Has Digital and Theatrical Releases
In the Mouth had a digital release on October 6, 2026, and current U.S. streaming listings show the film available through services including Philo and Fandor Amazon Channel. (BroadwayWorld)
Starting November 13, 2026, Antenna Releasing will also give the film a limited theatrical run.
The creative team behind the movie is set. Cory Santilli writes and directs the film. Colin Burgess plays Merl. Paul Rothery plays Larry. The film is 83-minutes long.
The story is a bit more complicated.
A man frightened of the outside world finds an enormous version of himself outside his house. He gets trapped financially and has to let a stranger into his house. He loses his safe space and the boundary of safety and danger gets blurred.
That strange contradiction is what gives In the Mouth its identity. Merl has to face his biggest fear and many other things outside his window. It is a comedy-thriller and a nail-biter!