Hrushikesh Reddy Vajrala’s ‘Knots & Numbskulls’ is a witty farce that stabs at corporate ambition while reveling in the sheer incompetence of two hapless criminals. This is dark comedy done right – clever, fast-paced, and packed with absurdity.
The film opens with Andrew (Logan Smith), a smug executive convinced he’s on the verge of becoming CEO. While he’s busy boasting to rival Robert (Adam Maddox), we cut to David (Philip Wright) and Samuel (Eddy Vanegas), two criminals so gloriously inept they can barely pull off their latest job. Their next target is Andrew – all thanks to Robert’s scheming.
What follows is an incompetent hostage situation. David and Samuel treat their crime like a casual gig, engaging in ridiculous banter while their victims, Andrew and his ally Lizzie (Morgan Ellinor), wiggle their way out of the abduction.
Vajrala’s script crackles with comedic dialogue, while Jessica Vera’s cinematography keeps the action visually dynamic. The film’s polished production values shine, though the ever-present musical score verges on excessive – sometimes the comedy is strong enough to breathe without it.
The brilliance here lies in the contrast: corporate backstabbing meets criminal incompetence. One world is ruthless, the other is ridiculously unserious, and the intersection is where ‘Knots & Numbskulls’ finds its magic. With a strong cast, rapid-fire humor, and a gleeful disregard for professionalism (both in crime and corporate politics), this is a short that delivers on both laughs and chaos.
A refreshingly silly, well-crafted short – if you like your thrillers with a side of stupidity, ‘Knots & Numbskulls’ is a must-watch.
