Some monsters arrive from somewhere far away. The one in Nail-Biter has been living in the house the whole time, written into the family like a trait. Joseph Burch's short follows an anxious nail-biter who confronts her overbearing mother about their family curse — a finger-devouring creature that preys on those who bite their nails — just as the monster shows up to claim her as its next victim.
It's a gothic fable with a modern pulse, tackling compulsion, anxiety, and coming of age inside an oppressive environment. The film is also a proof-of-concept: the feature version begins production in February 2027. At FilmQuest, where Burch is returning after his short Stains, Nail-Biter arrives nominated for Best Makeup FX — fitting for a film that put its money where its monster is.
Key Takeaways
- Nail-Biter grew out of Burch's own compulsive nail biting, which only stopped when braces made it painful, crossed with the anxiety he sees in younger generations now.
- The hardest call was giving up 16mm to fund a practical creature for the finale; DP Ruby Paiva built the film's age and texture in-camera instead.
- The short is a proof-of-concept, with the feature adaptation shooting in February 2027.
Burch spoke with us about tone, dread, and the surprising number of people who have quietly confessed to biting.
Interview
What drew you to make this film, and why this story, why now?
Nail-Biter was inspired by my own compulsive nail biting growing up. It wasn't until I got braces around 8th grade that I was forced to stop my bad habit, my fingers getting cut up every time I went to bite a nail. That, in combination with the overwhelming anxiety that younger generations are currently experiencing, was a huge reason for tackling this story now.
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process, creatively or logistically, including any moment on set or in post that changed how you saw the story?
The most surprising part of this process has been just how many people have revealed that they bite their nails. Whether it's cast, crew, or audiences, I've had so many people tell me that they experience a similar compulsion to our main character, and that this might scare them off of biting in the future.
What moment in the film feels most like you, or like something only you could have made?
I think there's something about the tone and atmosphere of the film that feels unique to me. I'm incredibly focused on tone and creating a textured environment, one that feels both period-specific but also completely ambiguous, making the film have an odd sense of timelessness. It's gothic, but it's also modern; I think that balance is something uniquely me.
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making the film?
To not shoot on 16mm and put our budget into creating a practical monster for the finale. I loved shooting with film on my last short, Stains, but it wasn't something we could do on Nail-Biter. Our DP, Ruby Paiva, still managed to give the film incredible age and texture, but I really think the grain and pace that shooting on 16mm gives is missing. It's something we'll be doing on the feature version.
How does your film fit within, or push the boundaries of, its genre or form?
This is a classic gothic fable, one that leans into its "scary story" told by a grandfather to his anxious granddaughter, and explodes into a proper creature feature in the finale. I also think it has a general sense of dread throughout.
What do you hope audiences take away from this film?
I just hope audiences connect with the film's pace, its tone, and what it's trying to say about fighting compulsion.
What does it mean to have your film selected for FilmQuest?
My last film, Stains, was selected for FilmQuest and I unfortunately could not attend in person. Ever since then, I've heard nothing but FilmQuest alumni shaming me for not going, saying it was their favorite festival experience of all time.
So, I was very excited to be invited back with Nail-Biter, and I'm even more excited to actually attend. FilmQuest consistently brings a passionate genre audience together to discover and support filmmakers that might not be making the usual, mainstream festival fare. It's a place to really find exciting new voices, and I'm very proud to be in the lineup and nominated for Best Makeup FX.
Where do you see this film going next?
We are actually preparing to shoot the feature adaptation of Nail-Biter in February 2027.
At the core of all his work, Burch says, is a desire to connect — which may be the quiet reason Nail-Biter keeps drawing confessions out of the people who watch it. A curse is only frightening if someone recognizes themselves in it.
Main Cast & Crew
- Alexa Swinton (Behemoth!)
- Amy Copsey
- Joseph Lopez (Insidious: Out of the Further)
- Ruby Paiva — Director of Photography
- Joseph Burch — Writer/Director
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