Darla in Space is a 2024 indie sci-fi comedy about Darla Peterson (Alex E. Harris), a small business owner facing a massive debt of $349,000.22 owed to the IRS with only 29 days to pay it off. Darla runs a company, Kitty Kasket LLC, that specializes in custom caskets for cats, but her business isn’t making nearly enough to cover the debt. Enter Mother (JS Oliver), a sentient kombucha scoby with the unique ability to grant mind-blowing orgasms. In exchange for helping Darla with her financial crisis, Mother has one condition—she needs to get to space. What follows is a hilarious, surreal journey as Darla balances bizarre space travel plans and the absurdity of teaming up with a sentient scoby. This wild, award-winning comedy, directed by Eric Laplante and Susie Moon, explores debt, survival, and out-of-this-world solutions with an eccentric twist.
Darla in Space is the kind of movie that takes a wild premise and turns it into an unforgettable, laugh-out-loud adventure. Directed and written by Eric Laplante and Susie Moon, the 2024 indie sci-fi comedy blends eccentric humor with the bizarre, creating a story about one woman’s desperation to escape crippling debt—by teaming up with a sentient kombucha scoby with mind-blowing powers. Premiering at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival and gaining buzz for its quirky plot, Darla in Space has quickly become one of the year’s most unexpected gems.
The film’s protagonist, Darla Peterson (played by Alex E. Harris), runs Kitty Kasket, LLC, a niche business crafting custom caskets for cats. While it’s a job that allows Darla to express her creativity, it certainly doesn’t earn her enough to pay off the shocking tax debt she finds herself saddled with—$349,000.22, to be exact, with only 29 days to pay it off. Darla's world begins to unravel as she scrambles for solutions. That’s when she encounters Mother (JS Oliver), a sentient kombucha scoby with the highly unusual ability to grant mind-blowing orgasms.
Mother, however, has her own agenda. In exchange for helping Darla pay off her debt, Mother insists on one condition: she needs to get to space. Yes, outer space. Thus begins Darla’s wacky journey of balancing bizarre orgasms, space travel, and existential questions—all wrapped up in one big, hilarious ride.
The film stars Alex E. Harris as Darla, a character who is equal parts relatable and absurd. Harris captures the essence of a woman pushed to the edge—desperate to save herself from financial ruin while navigating the absurdities that life keeps throwing at her. Alongside her is Thomas Jay Ryan, who plays Arnot Pickens, Darla's eccentric accountant who tries to make sense of her increasingly chaotic life. Constance Shulman’s portrayal of Leona, Darla’s stubborn mother, steals several scenes, offering both humor and heartfelt moments.
The supporting cast includes Jenn Lyon as Dr. Brittney St. Clair, a space-obsessed scientist who plays a key role in getting Mother into space. Rounding out the cast are Woody Fu as Stu, a quirky tech wizard, and Rasheda Crockett as Charity Legitimate, Darla’s equally zany friend.
Darla in Space made its debut at the Slamdance Film Festival in January 2024, where it competed in the Narrative Feature category. The film received critical praise for its originality and offbeat humor, with particular attention given to its outlandish premise and Harris’ committed performance.
Following its festival circuit, the film was picked up by Freestyle Releasing for distribution. It’s set to have a limited theatrical release at the Quad Cinema in New York City on September 27, 2024, with a broader release on video-on-demand platforms slated for October 25, 2024.
Critics have praised the film for its creative storytelling and the comedic chemistry among its cast. On Rotten Tomatoes, Darla in Space holds an impressive 100% score based on six reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. Trevor Stucker from The Movie State called Alex E. Harris “a compelling lead with a distinguishable personality and a committed performance,” while also highlighting Constance Shulman’s performance as a standout.
Norman Gidney from HorrorBuzz gave the film 6 out of 10 stars, calling it “a strange but charming mix of sci-fi and comedy that walks the line between absurd and heartfelt,” while noting that the film's bold choices may not be for everyone.
The film initially gained some attention—and criticism—for its use of AI-generated visuals. In particular, the directors used AI to depict the "Menage Space" sequences, which are visual representations of the scoby-induced orgasms. These sequences were meant to appear dreamlike and otherworldly, utilizing AI-generated imagery to capture the scoby’s unique, non-sensory experience. However, as AI ethics debates heated up, the directors decided to replace the AI footage with hand-crafted visuals to avoid further controversy.
Despite the initial use of AI, Darla in Space has been praised for its inventive visual effects, creative direction, and its ability to craft bizarre yet fitting visuals for such a strange premise.
At its core, Darla in Space is more than just a quirky sci-fi comedy; it’s a satirical take on the lengths people will go to in order to escape financial ruin and the absurdities of life itself. The film is laced with surreal humor, yet it taps into a very real anxiety many people face—crushing debt and the feeling of being trapped by life’s circumstances. It’s Darla’s willingness to take a bizarre, ridiculous path to solve her problem that makes her journey both relatable and wildly entertaining.
Furthermore, the film doesn’t shy away from exploring broader themes of trust, independence, and what it means to ask for help in the weirdest of circumstances. The relationship between Darla and Mother is as unconventional as it gets, yet it speaks to the human need for connection—even if that connection is with a sentient kombucha scoby.
With its offbeat humor, a committed cast, and an outlandish plot, Darla in Space is poised to be a cult favorite. The film’s ability to blend sci-fi elements with comedic, sometimes raunchy, storytelling gives it a unique voice in the indie film landscape. Whether you're drawn in by the oddball premise or the laugh-out-loud moments, Darla in Space offers a one-of-a-kind movie experience that will keep you entertained from start to finish.
1. What is Darla in Space about?
Darla in Space is a sci-fi comedy about Darla Peterson, who owes the IRS $349,000.22 and teams up with a sentient kombucha scoby named Mother to pay off her debt. In exchange for helping her, Mother has one strange request: to be sent to space.
2. Who stars in Darla in Space?
The film stars Alex E. Harris as Darla Peterson, with supporting roles from Thomas Jay Ryan, Constance Shulman, and Jenn Lyon.
3. Who directed Darla in Space?
The film was co-directed by Eric Laplante and Susie Moon, marking their feature directorial debut.
4. When was Darla in Space released?
The film premiered at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival on January 20, 2024.
5. Where can I watch Darla in Space?
The movie is set to have a limited theatrical release at Quad Cinema in New York on September 27, 2024. It will then be available on VOD platforms starting October 25, 2024.
6. What genre is Darla in Space?
The film is a mix of science fiction and comedy with a quirky, absurd twist.
7. What is Kitty Kasket LLC?
Kitty Kasket LLC is Darla’s business in the film, where she makes custom caskets for cats, though it doesn’t earn enough to cover her massive debt.
8. How was AI used in the making of Darla in Space?
Initially, AI-generated visuals were used to represent the "Menage Space" orgasms in the film, but after public criticism, the AI footage was replaced with handmade effects.
9. How long is Darla in Space?
The film has a runtime of 94 minutes.
10. What is the critical reception for Darla in Space?
Darla in Space received positive reviews, with critics praising Alex E. Harris' performance and the film's inventive, offbeat humor. It holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 6 critic reviews.