Comedians Susan Kent (“Trailer Park Boys”), who also wrote the script, Robin Duke (“Saturday Night Live”, “Groundhog Day”), Dan Petronevic (“Letterkenny”), and Emma Hunter (“The Beaverton”) star in director Jenna MacMillan’s dark comedy The Snake. The World Premiere at SXSW Film & Television Festival was on Friday, March 13th, followed by two additional screenings.
Synopsis: When an ungovernable 40-something wild child collides with her venomous mother, her life blows up spectacularly, leaving her newly evicted, partially single, and in bed with her best friend’s husband.
Jamie (Kent) collides with her mother, Anne (Duke), in this dark comedy, and while the two characters are on screen, it is hard not to find some humor in their behavior, yet it is also truly sad. Their relationship is complicated, and as a screenwriter, Kent has also written a great script to capture the wild bond they have. Through fiction, it also felt authentic, as Kent shows the range of emotions he navigates as he relates to his mother and men.
Susan Kent won the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival Special Jury Award for Performance, and the following is provided in the press materials for this award:
“With a fearless attitude and a determined spirit, this actor won over the jury with her showstopping performance. Playing the film’s central character, a wild child looking to make better decisions after a lifetime of antagonism from her mother and a string of disappointing men, she holds little back as she brings her character’s worst impulses to life. Yet she finds tender, quiet moments for her character to rebuild her life without anger. Her performance is a masterclass in how the right actor transforms a role and demands to be seen.”
Additional Cast: Jonathan Torrens, Jimbo, Kim Roberts, Kenny Robinson, Jacqueline Robbins, Joyce Robbins
Director/ Executive Producer: Jenna MacMillan
Screenwriter/ Star / Executive Producer: Susan Kent
Executive Producer: Bill Lundy, and Producers: Sharlene Kelly, Melani Wood
Cinematographer: Kevin A. Fraser, Editor: Sam Thomson,
Production Designer: Logan Fulford, Sound: Jeremy Fong, Music: Aaron Comeau
Runtime: 89 minutes
Source: SXSW