[Documentary Review] Otto Baxter: Not A F***ing Horror Story (2023)

Otto Baxter: Not a F***ing Horror Story is a beautifully constructed documentary that is real, honest and brutal about the world’s perceptions of people with Down’s Syndrome, through the eyes of someone who has it, whilst maintaining a comic undertone of wholesome affection. As complicated as that sounds, the documentary approaches the conversation of acceptance via a narration by film writer and director Otto Baxter, who, throughout the documentary, is working on his debut short The Puppet Asylum, a metaphorical biopic comedy horror about Otto’s birth, life, and triumph against oppressors.

The feature doc itself is made by long-time friends of Otto, filmmakers Bruce Fletcher and Peter Beard, who are there every step of the way to help him achieve his vision in his attempt to portray his life story using a genre that he loves dearly. The friendship, comradery and joy that emanates from their interactions is laced with educational moments for those in the audience who are not aware of the trials and tribulations that a person with Down’s Syndrome experiences daily, primarily because of other people’s ignorance towards the chromosomal condition. Otto repeatedly gives examples of occasions in his life where he has been rejected, bullied, or dismissed because of having Down’s Syndrome, and although these conversations are heart-breaking, they are vital to the narrative of his creative flair as well as gaining an understanding of why he made his hilariously foul-mouthed film.

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At times, Otto Baxter: Not a F***ing Horror Story is also profoundly sad or serious, as it includes the death of Otto’s birth mother during production, as well as difficult conversations about Otto’s understanding of professionalism on set. With this comes a well-rounded perception of the man Otto has grown up to be with the patience and love of the people that have surrounded him. One particularly emotional scene sees him reunite with childhood friend Jamie, someone who has been portrayed as a comedic dummy in Otto’s film, with the two sharing a conversation about love, friendship, and mental health from both the men’s perspectives.

A true highlight of this film has to be Otto’s dry sense of humour, he is consistently and incontestably the funniest person on screen this year with his constant roasting aimed at his friends as well as his quick-witted quips about his own life, with the filming solely coming down to an aim to promote his male stripping career. Tears may have come for the emotional moments but they certainly stayed around for the laughter in this beautifully honest tale of success. 

Overall, this documentary is well worth a watch as it premieres at this year’s FrightFest, before hitting select cinemas and Sky Documentaries this September. It would appear however, that Otto would prefer audiences to spend their time watching his short film, The Puppet Asylum, as, in his own words, “it’s much better than this rubbish documentary”. This will also be released in cinemas and by Sky in September.

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