Discover Flounder (2022), a compelling drama short film by Sam & David Cutler-Kreutz. A powerful and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. Two friends journey through a dangerous ritual that will test their friendship.
🏊 Flounder (2022) — Drama Short Film by Sam & David Cutler‑Kreutz
A raw, unflinching look at toxic masculinity and the dangerous rites of passage that can define — and damage — young men, Flounder is as tense as it is heartbreaking. Written and directed by filmmaking brothers Sam and David Cutler‑Kreutz, this 10‑minute short plunges us into the murky waters of a brutal water polo hazing ritual, where friendship, loyalty, and survival are all put to the test.
🧭 Overview
- Genre: Drama / Coming‑of‑age / Sports
- Directors & Writers: Sam Cutler‑Kreutz & David Cutler‑Kreutz
- Producers: Tara Sheffer, Sam & David Cutler‑Kreutz
- Cinematography: Gaul Porat 🎥
- Editor: Matt Schaff
- Runtime: ~10 minutes
- Premiere: January 28, 2022 (France)
- Festivals & Recognition: Screened on Directors Notes, BIFA‑qualifying platform; praised for its visceral style and thematic weight
- Language: English
- Country: United States
Watch full short:
📖 Story in Brief
Two childhood friends — Conner and Ben — are about to take part in a dangerous initiation ritual for their water polo team. The “game” is simple but brutal: competitors have their hands bound to bowling balls 🎳, jump into the lake 🌊, and must fight to reach a baton on the other side.
- The Start: Conner is eager, almost thrilled, to prove himself. Ben is more hesitant, sensing the danger.
- The Dive: Once in the water, the ritual turns chaotic — bodies thrash, lungs burn, and the weight of the bowling balls drags them down.
- The Split: Conner pushes ahead, desperate to win; Ben struggles, slipping beneath the surface.
- The Realisation: Conner reaches the baton and earns his place in the “brotherhood”… but spots something wrong in the water.
- The Choice: He dives back to help — but it may already be too late.
The film ends on an image that lingers: the cost of belonging measured against the value of a life.
🛠️ Creative “Tools” & Style
- Lived experience: Inspired by the brothers’ own coming‑of‑age in the early 2000s, surrounded by the pressures of toxic masculinity.
- Loose, reactive camerawork: Gaul Porat’s handheld Alexa rig moves like a bystander caught in the chaos, chasing actors mid‑fight and swinging to catch moments.
- Underwater cinematography: Murky, disorienting shots put the audience inside the struggle for air.
- Juxtaposition: The idyllic summer‑camp setting contrasts sharply with the violence of the ritual.
- Physicality: The actors’ performances are intensely physical, making every gasp and kick feel real.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
Pros
- 🎯 Thematic depth: Tackles toxic masculinity without preaching.
- 🌊 Immersive visuals: Underwater sequences are both beautiful and terrifying.
- 🎭 Strong performances: Johan Gran (Conner) and Charles Justo (Ben) bring authenticity to the friendship’s fracture.
- 🎥 Technical craft: Camera, sound, and editing work seamlessly to build tension.
Cons
- ⏳ Short runtime: Leaves you wanting more context for the characters’ history.
- 🌀 Intensity: The realism of the hazing may be hard to watch for some viewers.
🌟 Themes & Resonance
- Masculine identity: How young men are shaped — and warped — by peer pressure.
- Friendship under fire: What loyalty means when survival is at stake.
- Rites of passage: The dangerous lengths people go to for acceptance.
👥 Who Is It For?
- Drama lovers: Especially those drawn to sports as a lens for human conflict.
- Social issue audiences: Viewers interested in stories about gender norms and youth culture.
- Filmmakers: A case study in how to shoot high‑intensity action in a short format.
💡 Humanized Takeaway
Flounder isn’t just about a game — it’s about the invisible rules young men are told to follow, the pain they’re told to swallow, and the moments when those rules can kill. By holding up a mirror to these rituals, the Cutler‑Kreutz brothers invite us to question what “becoming a man” should really mean.
🔍 Find More & Support
- IMDb page for Flounder — full cast, crew, and production details.
- Directors Notes feature — behind‑the‑scenes insights from Sam & David Cutler‑Kreutz.
- Watch the short on YouTube — official upload via Directors Notes.