Short Film Review: Apocalypse Besties (Tribeca Film Festival 2025)

Written By Justin D Williams

Directed by Kristen Buckles Cantrell

Runtime: 18 Minutes

What would you do if the world ended and your best friend was the only one left? That’s the question Apocalypse Besties asks, and it answers it with laughs, awkward moments, and a lot of heart.

This short film follows two best friends, Sam and Becky, as they try to survive the end of the world. However, instead of fighting zombies or searching for food, they’re dealing with something much more personal and hilarious: removing each other’s birth control devices (IUDS) to repopulate the planet. It sounds weird, and it is, but in a good way. The movie works because of the chemistry between the two leads, played by Sam Reece and Becky Chicoine. You can tell they’re real-life friends, and that makes their goofy jokes and wild situations feel more natural. Their back-and-forth banter is quick, silly, and delivers entertainment.

The film's style is quirky and upbeat. Even though it’s set after the apocalypse, the tone is light and fun. There’s no heavy drama or deep message, it’s more about showing how friendship can survive anything, even at the end of the world. Some of the humor is a hit or miss. A few jokes I didn’t expect to see there, but it was entertaining and refreshing to see. If you prefer serious survival stories, this probably isn’t for you. However, if you like a weird comedy and don’t mind a little awkwardness, you’ll probably have a great time.

In the end, Apocalypse Besties is a short but memorable film that stands out because of it’s bold ideas and strong characters. It’s not trying to be serious, it just wants to make you laugh, and for that it succeeds. If you’re in the mood for something offbeat and funny, Apocalypse Besties is worth the 18 minutes of your time. It’s a reminder that even when things fall your best friend might just be the best part.

Rating: 4/5