Buffet Infinity is incredibly weird and oddly mesmerizing (Overlook 2026 review)

Courtesy of Yellow Veil Pictures

By far, the strangest movie I screened as part of this year's Overlook Film Festival is Buffet Infinity. Initially, once the credits rolled, I didn't know what to think about the film and its unconventional narrative style. Yet, a day or two later, I couldn't stop thinking about the movie. It has a beguiling and mesmerizing effect, though it's certainly not for everyone.

Directed by Simon Glassman, who co-wrote the script with Allison Bench and Elisa Snyder, the movie centers on Westridge County, Alberta. The feature begins with the POV of the viewer, who watches advertisement after advertisement, like an old VHS tape. There are ads for an insurance company (Babbacock Insurance), a bookstore, a pawnshop (Ahmed's Pawnshop), among many others. These ads are juxtaposed with weather reports and local news segments. Initially, this makes little sense, but if the audience has patience, the story of the town comes into a clearer picture. At one point, there are political ads by a PAC that wants to protect local businesses' independence from harsh legislation.

Courtesy of Yellow Veil Pictures

There's another story at play here. For years, Jenny's Sandwich Shop has been the go-to spot for locals. However, a new and mysterious restaurant opens, Buffet Infinity. The businesses essentially run dualling ads, and as viewers, it's hilarious to see how the restaurants will one-up each other with the next ad. The strange presentation of small-town politics is juxtaposed with cryptic messages in red that suddenly flash on the screen. There's something strangely unsettling about these moments, coupled with increased news reports about a growing sink hole, missing animals, and eventually, disappeared residents.

By the halfway point, the movie ventures into straight-up horror territory, while still maintaining its oddball humor. An unknown (maybe Lovecraftian) force invades the town. Hence the increased missing people reports. It's never really clear who or what overtakes the local community, and this could have used a bit more development, but it's still fascinating regardless. What begins as a retro media comedy morphs into otherworldly horror, though the build-up is gradual.

Meanwhile, several of the cast members, including Kevin Singh, who plays lawyer Mostley Rosin, Ahmed Ahmed, owner of Ahmed's Pawnshop, Bench, who stars as Jennifer Joy Avery, owner of the sandwich shop, certainly give their all to these whacky roles. No matter how weird their characters, they maintain the film's unique humor. The feature's main flaw, however, is its pacing. Though the runtime is only a little over 90 minutes, the unconventional narrative style and VHS clips grow a bit tiresome by the end. Because of that, this film certainly won't be for everyone, and it requires a lot of patience. Still, if you stick with it, there's definitely something appealing about the way the narrative unfolds. Yet, I kept wondering if this concept would have worked better as a short film.

If you're looking for a movie with offbeat humor, elements of cosmic horror, and an experimental narrative style that feels like an old VHS tape, then check out Buffet Infinity. No, the film won't have mass appeal, but there's something engrossing about it, despite some of the pacing issues.

Buffet Infinity just screened at the Overlook Film Festival. It'll have a limited theatrical release on April 24 before it hits VOD on May 8.

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