SXSW 2025 | Bulldozer Review
Have you ever crashed out to the point of sheer, utter delusion? If you haven't, Bulldozer might give you a glimpse. This pilot tackles the highs and lows of delusion with dark, morbid humor that delighted and occasionally overwhelmed me. In this SXSW 2025 Independent TV pilot, an under-medicated and chronically impassioned young woman hurtles from one self-made crisis to the next with such manic intensity that you can't help but wonder: wouldn't it be better if these wild moments were spread out over a whole season instead of squeezed into one 27-minute ride?
The narrative feels like that runaway train from Spider-Man 2 where Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man desperately tries to slam on the brakes, only to watch everything spiral out of control. Here, the characters rarely get the chance to drive the story forward on their own; events happen more because the plot demands chaos than because of genuine motivation. While undeniably entertaining, I craved more narrative structure and the chance to learn about each character before the next crisis hits.
Now, let's talk about the pilot's performances. Protagonist Jo Goodman—played by showrunner, executive producer, and screenwriter Joanna Leeds—is a tour de force. Her wild, unpredictable, and volatile energy is Bulldozer's beating heart; without her, I doubt I'd have been as invested in the madness. And then there are the side characters. Casting Mary Steenburgen (yes, that very Mary Steenburgen from Step Brothers, Back to the Future Part III, and Elf), alongside Nat Faxon, Harvey Guillén, Allen Leech, and an ensemble that includes Kate Burton, Chris "CP" Powell, Tim Bagley, Adargiza De Los Santos, Andrew Friedman, and Nick Armstrong brings an unexpected warmth and balance to the chaos. Their grounded, comedic presence is a lifeline in a world careening off the rails.
Andrew Leeds's direction is nothing short of audacious. With a clear creative vision, he perfectly captures the script's frenetic pace and off-kilter tone, even if there are moments when a bit more subtlety would have let the madness breathe.
Joanna Leed's script is unapologetically over-the-top. The pilot is crammed with quirks and dark twists from start to finish. While the intense focus on Jo's delusions is engaging, it occasionally borders on overwhelming. Like with Andrew's direction, I would've appreciated a slower burn for a more layered, digestible exploration of Jo's inner world and to savor the chaos within.
Music plays a massive role in setting the mood here, with needle drops every five minutes, tracking Jo's growth throughout the episode. While I appreciated their use, the frequency of these cues broke my immersion and distracted me each time they were used. Don't get me wrong–I love a good music break, but their sheer frequency kept breaking my immersion. Every time the music kicked in, I had to pause and reset, which isn't ideal when you're trying to ride the wave of a consistently manic narrative.
Michelle Lawler's cinematography deserves a shout-out as well. She stylishly and grittyly uses saturation and exposure to mirror the emotional backdrop of Jo's journey. In happier moments, the colors practically explode, while in the somber scenes, everything feels appropriately muted. It might sound like a basic trick, but it helps a ton when trying to sell emotion to an audience.
Andrew Leeds and Mike Patterson-Pack's editing is hit-and-miss. The fast cuts do a great job of conveying the pilot's frenetic pace, yet sometimes, the rapid-fire narrative leaves me desperately wanting a breather. A bit more breathing room might help the viewer catch their breath, even if that means pushing the series past 30 minutes.
Overall, Bulldozer is a wild, high-octane plunge into dark comedy. It's raw, irreverent, and sometimes overzealous in its pursuit of a laugh. While the frenetic pace and intense character focus can sometimes feel overwhelming, the pilot lays down a strong, distinctive vision. With some tweaks to pacing and narrative structure, this could be a compelling long-term series.
★★★☆☆ (3/5 stars)
Bulldozer was screened as part of SXSW 2025's Independent TV Pilot Program.
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