"Jellyfish Season:" A Trippy, Jazzy Escape From Reality
No matter how content you are in your current situation, we have all experienced daydreams of throwing caution to the wind, getting in a car, and leaving it all behind to start anew. Whether it be alone or with a crew, for a weekend or forever, it's a fantasy that always sits in the back of our minds. But what if you actually did it? What if you and two of your closest friends set out on an impromptu trip just to get away for a while? Would it make a difference? Would the happiness last? All of these fantasies are explored in the new indie feature, Jellyfish Season by Destiny Greer, a movie that makes the most of its shoestring budget to create a trippy vacation whirlwind.
Jellyfish Season is the debut feature of filmmaker, Destiny Greer. Previously working as an actress and production designer, this is Greer's first directing job since 2019's Him, Her, Them. Jellyfish Season follows best friends, Jay, Kay, and Zee as they embark on a Floridian beach weekend in an attempt to escape the monotony of their daily lives. As the film goes on, the lines between reality and fantasy blur as each man drifts into his own private spiral of long-suppressed insecurities and unspoken disappointments. The film stars Kristofer Atkinson, Zachery Howard, and Matthew Walker who also served as the project's screenwriter.
Jellyfish Season was obviously a labor of love from all involved, being made by only a handful of people taking on multiple major production roles. The best way I can describe it is if Janicza Bravo's Zola was a buddy stoner movie. Dylan Melcher's cinematography is so impressive it makes you forget how low-budget the project is. When paired with the fast-pasted jazz score, the overall vision becomes so unique. Every time the pacing gets too slow, it's partially disguised by the music. At times it can feel downright Iñárittu-esque.
Jay, Kay, and Zee are characters that they audience will have an easy time rooting for, especially Jay. While each man gets their own storyline, the crown jewel of Jellyfish Season is Jay's, dealing with a kind of loneliness that's hard not to relate to. Jay's arc is for the introspective, Kay and Zee's are for those who need a good laugh. Who knows, maybe it'll lead to the planning of your next wild getaway.
It's easy to see yourself in Jellyfish Season. The United States is going through one of the most tumultuous times in our country's history and it can be downright impossible not to feel hopeless and indulge in fantasy from time to time. Jellyfish Season is a film about escapism while still having your people around to somewhat tether you to reality. While it may feel good in the moment to detach yourself, eventually, we all have to wake up, go home, face the music. While Destiny Greer and company made a film that's fun and ridiculous, it also deeply understands this truth. It is a truly impressive effort for a first feature on a shoestring budget. One with multiple locations, a 90 minute runtime, and even animation, Jellyfish Season truly is a testament to the team's creativity and resourcefulness.
Jellyfish Season premieres at Film Club's Lost Weekend on September 26th before moving on to the Tallahassee Film Festival soon after. Expect to see it playing soon at a film festival near you and buy tickets! It might just be the most fun you've had with your friends in a long time.
