SXSW 2026: GRIND & DRAG

Two of my favorite films of the festival were stories that balanced the wonderful line between comedy and horror, the absurd and the terrifying. Grind, an anthology film that has four interconnecting stories within the world of gig jobs, is directed by Ed Dougherty, Brea Grant, and Chelsea Stardust. The other, Drag, from directors Raviv Ullman and Greg Yagolnitzer, follows sisters who attempt a robbery, but things go haywire when one throws out their back. Inventive, edgy, and ultimately unforgettable, Grind & Drag are coming through with the big SXSW vibes.

These are the weird ones, and I’m here for it.

Grind (Ed Dougherty, Brea Grant, and Chelsea Stardust)

The working world can be a scary place.

Sell leggings or potentially get some strange side effects (puke glitter when you eat food you love) or get killed by the Axeman while the head of the company, and the beast, continues to get richer. While the premise is exaggerated and mixed with fantastical details, this segment MLM of Grind is just one of several scenarios that speak to the real grind that gig jobs are, often with little incentive. It takes a look at the modern workplace culture with a satiric edge.

MLM is one of the best segments. Grant directs Sarah (Jessika Van), who is trying to gain success with Lala Leggings, run by the always fantastic Barbara Crampton. This one is so wildly absurd and funny, and it continues to raise the stakes to the point of chaotic genius.

Alongside this, we have another from Grant with Delivery, when a food delivery driver is stuck in monotony. With his next customer, Benny (Vinny Thomas) becomes stuck in a twisty sort of hell. Thomas is fantastic, and the story has a lot of intriguing ideas, even if they don’t always pay off. Visually, it’s stylistically stunning. Brea Grant has proven to be a powerhouse in this space, and I am always excited to see what she will do next.

One of my favorite segments is Content Moderation from Ed Dougherty. Christopher Rodriguez Marquette steals the show with his performance as Joel, a newhire that just needs to get through an insane amount (only 6 million) of the worst videos you could ever imagine before he makes it upstairs to good pay and free lunch. Can lobster rolls get you through the most grotesque social media has to offer? His boss (Rob Huebel) is delightfully horrible. He’s another standout among the terrific cast.

The depravity is in full blast here, but Grind never misses an opportunity to make you laugh and to explore its messaging. And damn, if some of those videos don’t chill you to the bone. The film closes out with Union Meeting, as a group of employees at a coffee shop look to unionize, and their bosses send their shop’s mascot to kill them. While not offering up a lot storywise, it’s a fittingly bloody finish. Especially the final scene, which provides some viewer satisfaction.

It’s a fantastic blend of horror and comedy, and each segment feels unique despite the overarching anti-capitalist message. It’s easy to devour, and each section brings something valuable to the table. While Grind doesn’t always connect, it weaves humor and thoughtful storytelling to make some fresh and bold.

A relevant premise with a throwback feel, Grind is a treat.

Drag (Raviv Ullman and Greg Yagolnitzer)

Drag‘s logline had me snort laughing before I even saw the film. Throwing out your back is so debilitating that it can be nearly impossible to move. Well, what if that were to happen during a robbery? Yikes.

Raviv Ullman and Greg Yagolnitzer create something truly fun and original with Drag. Lizzy Caplan and Lucy Devito play sisters who, while in the midst of a robbery, have their plans thwarted by the most unexpected of villains: back pain.

Devito is forced to quite literally drag Caplan around, forcing all kinds of hijinks, further injuries, and, of course, the worst possible scenario: the homeowner returning. John Stamos, in a hilarious and wild role we haven’t seen him in before, is the owner. Worst yet? He’s got some secrets. Christine Ko also has a small but important role, rounding out this fantastic cast. They all seemed to be having a blast, and I loved seeing Stamos step out of his comfort zone.

This group doesn’t hold back, and it’s hilarious how much physical agony Caplan is put through. Her physical humor (and torment) will have you laughing and cringing in equal parts. Caplan and Devito have a great rapport, and their constant bickering is countered with real tension. As the film hits its third act, it becomes a full-blown thriller with plenty of twists and turns to make this one location hit. Some parts of the ending left me a little disappointed, but overall, the film doesn’t hold back and ramps up the intensity.

Clever and fresh with a lively soundtrack and unhinged fun, Drag is a must-see.

Both Grind and Drag had their premieres at this year’s SXSW.