5.1/10
Senior Film Conservator

A definitive 5.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Hot Biskits remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, Hot Biskits. Yeah, it’s one of those films that just sticks with you, long after the credits roll. If you’re into seeing two grown men go all-in on something as utterly, wonderfully mundane as mini-golf, then absolutely give this a shot. But if you’re hoping for car chases or a grand, sweeping story, you’ll probably just wonder what all the fuss is about. This isn't for everyone, for sure.
The whole thing, really, just revolves around Spencer Williams and Thurston Briggs. They play these two guys who obviously have a history, though we never really get the full download. It's more of a feeling, you know? A kind of quiet, simmering beef that just *explodes* on the tiny greens of a mini-golf course. It’s kinda funny how much tension they manage to squeeze out of a little white ball and some fake windmills.
There's this one moment, early on, where Williams is lining up a putt. His eye, it just twitches ever so slightly. It’s such a small thing, easily missed, but it tells you everything about how much this silly game means to him. Briggs, though, he’s got this grin that never quite reaches his eyes. He’s trying to mess with Williams, I think, just with sheer calm. It's almost more unsettling than any shouting match.
The camera, it really loves their faces. Especially during those long, drawn-out moments right before a swing. You can practically feel the air getting thick with unspoken words and competitive energy. I remember this one hole, the big clown's mouth one? 🤡 Williams spent a solid minute just staring at it, like it held all the secrets of the universe. Then he barely tapped the ball, and it just rolled perfectly in. Man, that was a moment. A tiny, perfect victory.
And the sound! The crisp clack of the ball hitting the club, then the distant chirping of birds, and then just… silence. It makes those little “thwacks” of the club feel so much louder, so much more important than they should. It’s almost a bit unsettling, how quiet it gets sometimes. They don't say much, these two. A few grunts, a sharp word here or there, maybe a sigh. Mostly it's just looks. Those looks that can tell a whole story without a single sound. Reminded me a little of some of the old silent films, actually, not like The Big House or anything grand like that, but in that focus on expression.
The pacing is… well, it’s a mini-golf match. So it's slow, sure, by its very nature. But that slowness isn’t boring, not really. It actually builds this incredible sense of anticipation. You start to get into their heads a little, I think. You feel every missed shot, every tiny victory like it’s your own. There’s a sequence where Briggs just stares at his ball, like he’s trying to will it to move an inch. It goes on about 15 seconds too long, and for a second you think the editor just forgot to cut it. But then it totally works. It makes you lean in, hoping, dreading.
Spencer Williams, who also wrote this whole thing, really makes you believe in his character’s desperation. He's not just playing mini-golf; he’s fighting for something much bigger, something intangible, out there on the Astroturf. Thurston Briggs plays the perfect counterpoint, just cool enough to be utterly infuriating. Their whole dynamic is pretty much the entire movie, honestly. They both commit so hard to this slightly absurd premise, and that’s what makes it work.
Hot Biskits isn't going to change your life, probably. It’s not some grand statement on the human condition. But it’s a surprisingly compelling watch if you let yourself get drawn into its very particular world. It’s a testament to how much drama you can squeeze from the smallest premise, if you have the right actors and a really keen eye for those tiny, human moments. It’s a little gem, truly a strange one. 🏌️♂️ Definitely worth checking out on a quiet afternoon if you’re up for something different.

IMDb 5.7
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