Shithouse marks the impressive debut of writer-director-star Cooper Raiff, who generates some low-key Before Sunrise vibes with the tale of a sensitive, homesick college freshman who might just be the last non-toxic white male on campus. Unable to find his place among the raging partiers and horny hook-ups, Alex finally begins to come out of his shell over the course of a long, talky night with Maggie, his RA (Dylan Gelula). The fact that Raiff makes the conceit not only palatable, but genuinely sweet, speaks to his guilelessness as a performer and light touch as a filmmaker. Raiff allows Alex to be both vulnerable and downright dorky—even pausing a few beats when delivering quips so as to not come across as too funny. As Maggie, Gelula counters with a harder edge born of rougher experience, which makes their dialogue—about parents, friends, death (“Death is ass”)—a spiky mix. At its best, the movie captures the thrill of those moments, whether romantic or friendly, when you realize something special is happening. However this night ends up for Alex and Maggie, it will be one they will never forget.
