Littermates: A Makeshift Family
By Karen Reyes
How many “nifties” does it take to get back at your sibling? Scott Tinkham and Michael Woloson’s Littermates (2026) brought the strange coming-of-age experience of growing up with siblings to the screen at Fantastic Fest 2026. Set in a dystopian, war-riddled world, this horror comedy follows survivors Liam (Joey Bader) and Mel (Kaylee McGregor) after they find refuge from the mysterious war that left them without their memories with Chester (Oliver Woolf) who takes them in and bathes, feeds, and teaches them to speak again. Essentially raising them from infancy to late-teenagehood, Chester becomes their caretaker and implements a carefully controlled and sheltered environment: The pair are not allowed outside of the safety of Chester’s land, and their good behavior earns them “nifties”—little tokens with positive affirmations inscribed on them—that they can trade in for rewards like karaoke, hot tub time, and dance parties.
Inspired by their own family dynamics, Tinkham and Woloson successfully captured the silly and trivial aspects of growing up along with the deeply profound relationship only found between siblings. Liam and Mel hit all the telltale milestones of growing up: Liam’s jealousy after Mel’s arrival can only be compared to that of a child who must accept a newborn sibling and that they will no longer be the golden only child. They bicker, they fight, they get into trouble together, and they work together despite constantly butting heads.
Joey Bader’s ability to make subtle changes in speech, mannerisms, and even thought processes throughout Liam’s different stages of development makes the whole scenario feel incredibly real. He believably “ages” from toddler-like to late childhood to teenhood alongside Kaylee McGregor as Mel whose curiosity about the outside world and maturity conflicts with Liam’s desire to stay inside their safe bubble. The two play off of each other wonderfully, opposite Oliver Woolf who presents a slightly offputting parental role in Chester.
The amazing performances are only enhanced by the beautiful backdrop of a secluded English countryside surrounded by a forest that became the catalyst for the final act of the film. The trio only runs into one other person for the entire 88-minute runtime, allowing the audience to fully bask in this unusual found family dynamic. As someone with siblings of my own, it was often the smaller, seemingly trivial details that hit home: the petty tattling, Liam’s insistence that he runs faster than Mel, the silly namecalling.
Tinkham and Woloson completely nailed the back and forth, push and pull that comes with having a sibling and anyone in the audience can feel it. Whether you had the pleasure of growing up with siblings or had the luck to be an only child, the transformation in Mel and Liam’s relationship is bound to have you giggling, sighing, rolling your eyes, and rooting for this newfound family.