Body Horror, Chaos & Sympathy: Breaking Down ‘Bagworm’ | SXSW Interview

What happens when pain—real or imagined—completely unravels a person?At SXSW, we sat down with director Oliver Bernsen and actor Peter Falls to talk about their visceral and unforgettable film Bagworm.From one of the most shocking on-screen moments you’ll see this year to the layered, uncomfortable humanity of its lead character, this conversation dives into the film’s raw intensity, unexpected humor, and emotional complexity.Is what Carol experiences real… or is something much darker happening beneath the surface?Topics DiscussedThe infamous nail scene and why showing everything matteredBalancing body horror with emotional storytellingMaking an unlikable character sympatheticThe film’s surprising multi-genre toneThat wild party sequence you won’t forgetReality vs. perception: what’s actually happening to Carol?About the FilmBagworm follows a sexually frustrated hammer salesman whose life spirals after stepping on a rusty nail—forcing him to question whether the world is turning against him… or if something inside him is taking over.