'F*cktoys' Review: Annapurna Sriram's Audacious Debut Mixes Spiritual Chaos with Satire on Sex Work
Annapurna Sriram’s F*cktoys is a bold and audacious feature debut that combines transgressive humor, spiritual exploration, and sharp social commentary. The film follows AP, a young sex worker played by Sriram, who, after losing a tooth, visits a tarot reader for answers. The reading isn’t favorable: the cards predict doom, with the curse of a mysterious force upon her. The tarot reader, portrayed by Big Freedia, delivers the news with unsettling certainty but also offers a solution—AP can change her fate with a thousand dollars and a sacrificial lamb.
Annapurna Sriram in 'F*cktoys.'
Trashtown Pictures LLC
Premiering at SXSW, F*cktoys won a special jury prize in the narrative feature competition and follows AP as she embarks on a chaotic quest for spiritual redemption in the fictional world of Trashtown, U.S.A. Her journey is filled with unexpected reunions, strange encounters, and moments of real danger. Sriram’s film, which merges John Waters’ penchant for the outrageous with modern-day astrology and mysticism, draws comparisons to Pink Flamingos, reveling in a purposeful embrace of sin and the absurd. Sriram uses her bacchanalian narrative to highlight the contradictions of conservative social values, celebrity culture, and the world of contemporary sex work.
Although the curse weighs heavily on AP, she delays action. Her first destination is a lively house party where, amid the chaos, she reconnects with her old friend Danni (Sadie Scott) and gives a client a golden shower. Seeking further guidance, AP decides to get a second opinion on her curse, and Danni, intrigued by AP’s profession, agrees to take on a client herself. Their meeting with James Francone, a pompous artist played by The Parenting’s Brandon Flynn, stands out as one of the film’s comedic highlights. Sriram skewers the power dynamics between celebrities and their workers, crafting a hilarious commentary on privilege and entitlement.
F*cktoys departs from the traditional sex work narrative, veering more toward an Alice in Wonderland-style journey rather than a Cinderella story. The film unfolds with an associative, non-linear structure, where each vignette introduces new characters and environments. Collaborating with director of photography Cory Fraiman-Lott and production designer Nichole McMinn, Sriram creates visually striking scenes for each episode, with distinct visual styles that complement the narrative’s chaotic tone.
One of the film’s more poignant moments occurs when AP visits Robert (Damian Young), a repeat client who projects his own shame onto her. In the post-coital quiet, Robert, a married man with children, offers unsolicited advice about job security and health insurance. His attempt to help AP leads her to disclose the curse, requesting money to change her luck. Yet, when confronted with the reality of helping her, Robert’s initial generosity falters, adding another layer to the film’s exploration of transactional relationships.
The search for the sacrificial lamb takes AP to a lavish party hosted by the wealthy, which, with its red décor and grotesque clientele, channels the spirit of Waters' early films with Divine. Exaggerated close-ups and unsteady camera angles capture the absurdity of the rich guests, who bemoan the oppressive nature of current politics while simultaneously wallowing in their privilege.
Despite its comedic and absurd moments, F*cktoys also explores deeper themes of desire, companionship, and self-discovery. In one of the more sincere subplots, several psychics foretell AP’s connection with a “twin flame,” a person she once loved in a past life. AP initially believes this person to be Danni, which shifts the emotional dynamic between the two women. The film’s heart is perhaps best encapsulated in a scene where AP and Danni, on a motorbike, ride through Trashtown. Their disheveled appearances mark the passage of time, revealing the emotional and physical toll of their journey.
F*cktoys succeeds in blending dark humor with moments of unexpected tenderness, making it a unique exploration of modern sex work, mysticism, and personal growth. Sriram’s feature debut is both a sharp critique of societal norms and an unapologetically bold statement on sexual freedom, creating a film that is as thought-provoking as it is audacious.
