Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Jug Face’

Written by Scott Edwards

It is hard to break free of tradition if that is how you were raised. Not knowing everything about why you are following something blindly can be difficult for some people, but many continue to do it because it is all that they know. When you are able to find out the reason behind your family’s traditions, you can feel proud and hold your head high, or ashamed and not want to be known as their child, but it is up to you to keep the tradition alive. There can also be extreme circumstances where you are required to do something that is not lawful by our rules and when this occurs, you are the only one to blame when the hammer comes down and even if it is something that you grew up witnessing, it does not help when you are facing a jury of your peers.

Ada is tired of living in her little community and wants to find a way out, but with no chance of leaving in sight, she has to make the best of it. When her brother finds her wandering around in the woods, he is looking to prove his love to her, even though it may not seem right in the community’s eyes. With love flowing through the woods, Ada knows that her life will not be complete without her brother Jessaby, but when she gets home, she finds out that her parents have found her a suitor that will be there through the best and worst of times. Not wanting to admit that she has been tarnished, Ada plays along and tries to prove that she has been true to her word and has never experienced a man’s touch.

Hidden in the woods, Dawai is working on a new jug for his collection, but the Pit has taken over his creative faculties once again. Spinning his new Jug Face, Dawai has no idea who the Pit requires a sacrifice from and will not see his work until it is finished cooking in the kiln. Before Dawai is able to discover who the next sacrifice to the Pit will be, he gets his daily visit from Ada who is able to distract him and sees that her face is on the jug. Not wanting to be the near the Pit after finding out that she is pregnant, Ada steals her jug face and hides it so nobody knows who the next victim should be. Knowing that this is the only way she will be able to protect herself and her unborn offspring, she has no idea what the Pit will start doing to the small community. 

The Pit has been an important part of the community for many years and after its power of healing was shown during a measles outbreak, everyone knows that it is the only reason that they are still alive. Granting the wishes of it, the community watches as Dawai creates the occasional jug face and sacrifices the adjoining person to its greatness. This is how things have always been in this community and the Pit has spoken and chosen Ada who will not give her life or her unborn baby’s life to it. As a mass of jug faces are created in lieu of Ada’s, the community is getting smaller and smaller by the day. The Pit has spoken and wants what it was promised long ago, or there will be no one left.

I was not sure when this movie came up on my queue, it looked a little bit different and I was hesitant at first to give it a go. I am happy to say it pulled me in with the opening credits and then it just shot fully into the story. I kind of felt bad for Ada who was in a no-win situation and having to give up the love she had for her brother (backwoods style), adds another layer of tragedy to the movie since she didn't know any better or any other way. With so much being put into her being pure before she enters the Pit when she is slated to get married, she shows genuine concern about the safety of her baby. Escaping the community, although only for a little while, she finds out that there is no escaping the Pit and what it wants… and when it wants it. Stay Scared.

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