Eat Your Makeup

About This Movie

Eat Your Makeup is a wild ride, blending comedy and horror in a way only John Waters could dream up. The film's tone is both absurd and unsettling, with a deranged nanny at the center who kidnaps young girls for her modeling obsession. It’s shot on sixteen-millimetre, giving it a gritty, raw feel, which really enhances the overall atmosphere. The pacing is erratic, reflecting the chaotic lives of the characters and their warped desires, while the performances are a mix of sincere and bizarre, adding to that campy edge. What really stands out is the practical effects and the way it critiques beauty standards, though it’s often overshadowed by Waters’ later works. This one definitely has its own unique flavor.

Eat Your Makeup remains a rare gem in John Waters’ early filmography, particularly as it was never shown commercially. Its scarcity adds to its allure among collectors, though you might find a few bootlegs floating around. Original prints and early releases command attention, as they represent Waters' raw, unrefined style before he hit the mainstream. The film continues to draw interest for its audacity and the unique aesthetic that Waters would later refine in his more recognized works.