Growing Fangs (2021)
Story overview
Growing Fangs is a 2021 short film (19 minutes) that follows Val Garcia, a Mexican-American teenager who is half-human and half-vampire. She has kept her dual identity secret from both the human and monster worlds. When her human best friend unexpectedly enrolls at her monster school, Val is forced to confront her true self, navigate her identity, and balance her relationships in both worlds. This family-friendly fantasy drama explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and cultural identity.
Parent Guide
A family-friendly fantasy about identity and acceptance with mild supernatural elements. Suitable for most children with parental guidance for younger viewers due to thematic elements.
Content breakdown
No physical violence. Some mild peril when Val worries about her secret being discovered. Fantasy elements include vampire themes but no aggressive or scary vampire behavior.
Monster school setting with fantasy creatures, but presented in a non-threatening, almost whimsical way. Vampire elements are mild and metaphorical rather than horror-based. Nothing graphic or intensely frightening.
No offensive language or profanity. Dialogue is family-appropriate throughout.
No sexual content, nudity, or romantic situations beyond innocent friendship themes.
No depiction of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or substance use.
Emotional themes of identity conflict, secrecy, and self-acceptance. Some tension around keeping secrets and fear of rejection, but resolved positively. The short runtime keeps emotional intensity manageable for children.
Parent tips
This short film is appropriate for most children and families. The TV-PG rating indicates it contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. The fantasy elements are mild and non-threatening, focusing on identity rather than horror. The vampire theme is handled in a light, metaphorical way about fitting in. There's no graphic violence, strong language, or sexual content. The emotional themes about self-acceptance and friendship provide good discussion opportunities.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What was your favorite character?
- Did you like the school in the movie?
- What color were Val's fangs?
- Why do you think Val kept her vampire side secret?
- How would you feel if you had a secret like Val's?
- What makes someone a good friend like Val's human friend?
- How does Val's mixed heritage (Mexican-American) relate to her being half-vampire?
- What does 'being yourself' mean to you after watching this?
- Have you ever felt pressure to hide part of who you are?
- How does the film use fantasy elements to explore real identity issues?
- What cultural themes did you notice in Val's experience?
- How does the short film format affect how the story is told?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Growing Fangs' is about the monstrous burden of a dual identity, specifically the queer Latinx experience. Val Garcia, a half-human, half-vampire teen, doesn't crave blood but normalcy—to be seen as 'just human' by her peers and crush. The film's real horror isn't supernatural violence but the psychological violence of assimilation. Val's vampirism is a metaphor for a closeted, 'other' self she must constantly suppress to fit into her Texas high school. Her journey isn't about embracing power, but navigating the exhausting performance of a palatable identity while her true nature festers beneath the surface, making her both predator and prey in the social ecosystem.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
Director Ann Marie Pace employs a stark, sun-bleached visual palette for the human world, contrasting sharply with the cool, shadow-drenched tones of Val's nocturnal vampiric reality. The camera often isolates Val in wide shots within crowded frames, visually emphasizing her alienation. Action is intimate and messy rather than sleek, reflecting the emotional clumsiness of teenagehood—a pivotal bite scene is shot in tight, shaky close-up, focusing on panic and saliva rather than grandeur. Symbolism is woven through mundane objects: the school's fluorescent lights feel more oppressive than any dungeon, and a shared strawberry slushie becomes a potent symbol of forbidden desire and 'human' indulgence.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The film is a deeply personal project for writer/director Ann Marie Pace, who drew from her own experiences growing up queer and Latinx in Texas. Lead actress Olivia Reyes performed all her own stunt work for the physical transformation scenes. Notably, the entire film was shot on location in Austin, Texas, utilizing actual local high schools and neighborhoods to ground its supernatural elements in a palpably real environment. The prosthetic fangs were custom-designed to be smaller and more subtle than typical vampire fangs, reflecting the film's theme of hidden identity.
Where to watch
Choose region:
- Disney Plus
Trailer
Trailer playback is unavailable in your region.
