The SXSW Film Festival is all about giving a platform to debutant directors with unique stories to tell that break the mold of conventional cinema while providing an incredibly good time in the process. With Chili Finger, co-directors Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad have taken the opportunity presented to them and run with it, creating a black comedy that is every bit as bonkers as it is entertaining while offering a glimpse into what will inevitably be a stellar career for both of them.

Chili Finger centres around Jessica (Judy Greer) and Ron Lipki (Sean Astin), an average everyday American married couple facing the realities of overwhelming bills, rising food prices, and tuition fees for their daughter whom they have just sent off to college. With everything seemingly going against them, an opportunity presents itself in the wackiest of forms when Jessica finds a human finger in her bowl of chilli at the famous fast food joint Blake Junior’s, changing the course of their future for good and sowing seeds of distrust and conspiracy among the masses.

What starts out as a fun and unique comedy quickly descends into a ridiculous and thoroughly entertaining mystery as Blake Junior (John Goodman) gets his buddy and ex-marine Dave (Bryan Cranston) to investigate how the finger appeared in the chilli. While the mystery may be revealed a little too early, creating some pacing issues in the middle act, it still keeps audiences guessing and spinning their own conspiracies as the madness unfolds.

For a film as chaotic as Chili Finger to work it has to be seriously funny, not just chuckles here and there but genuine laugh out loud moments coming thick and fast, and that is without a doubt where the film excels. The quippy one liners are a great deal of fun and delivered brilliantly by the entire cast, ensuring everyone watching will have a good time, with the hilarious shock moments and genuine surprises bound to please.

Chili Finger also is not afraid to include some heartfelt social commentary about the lengths families go to for one another in order to make life better, while also showing what it is like to be a parent in the immediate aftermath of their children fleeing the nest. Without ever feeling preachy, it touches on the growing struggles the average American family faces due to economic conditions far beyond their control.

While the co-directors may be the new kids on the block, their inspired decision to cast seasoned veterans of the industry proves a masterstroke. What is perhaps even more impressive is just how fully all of them buy into the story. Judy Greer, as the film’s central star, is tremendous throughout. Bryan Cranston proves he still has impeccable comedic timing and I would happily watch him in dozens more comedies like this. Meanwhile John Goodman and Sean Astin, despite having slightly smaller roles, give it their all in every scene, elevating the material and ensuring their performances linger long after the credits roll.

While the film may lose a little momentum along the way, stellar directing allows it to regain that energy with a final act that delivers a completely insane ending perfectly in tune with the film’s tone. Chili Finger will go down as a superb directorial debut for both Benda and Helstad, who already show signs of an incredibly promising future. It is rare for a film to be this funny while still remaining emotionally grounded, but somehow Chili Finger manages it brilliantly. A definite must watch.