Watch What Happens When Friends Try to Delete an Accidental Sext in ‘Caper’!

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As the old saying goes, friends are there for you, but maintaining those friendships becomes increasingly challenging as we grow older. Just like Jesus had 12 close companions, it’s important to have a group of friends who would help you out even in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, especially when you find yourself in a pickle due to an embarrassing mistake, such as sending the wrong text to someone.

The upcoming indie comedy Caper, which will be showcased at SXSW this year, shows that it doesn’t matter what age group you belong to – everyone can make mistakes, even sending an inappropriate text by accident, with potentially disastrous results. So, if you aren’t familiar with the term “sext,” it’s a suggestive or explicit message that one might send accidentally, and you can easily understand its implications if you haven’t encountered it before.

The absurd premise of the film Caper is made even more laughable because the one who sends a racy message turns out to be the oldest member of the group, or so it seems. Perhaps this is why the rest of the crew is eager to embark on a foolish adventure spanning an entire night, in this new comedy from writer-director Dean Imperial (Godfather of Harlem). It’s a string of hilarious jokes that might grow repetitive towards the end, but it remains lighthearted amusement – and I mean “amusement” with emphasis – that is most enjoyable when shared with friends.

I Sext by With a Little Help From My Friends

In the opening scene, it’s clear that Chris (Christopher Tramantana), our captivating lead character, takes center stage. He has an unusual profession – directing mature plays with homeless actors in New York City. Yes, this isn’t a joke! A tense rehearsal leads to him returning to his base, a place crucial for the plot that unfolds. The evening starts off casually with drinks, card games, and introspective discussions among Chris and his friends Duke (Asa James), Billy (Sam Gilroy), Larry (Richard Cooper) and others. However, as more people join them, they begin to hatch a plan that will take an unexpected turn.

They eventually discover that one individual is absent: Phil (the boisterous Ron Palais), a discontented, married working man who’s recently started an affair with a younger woman. However, when Phil’s latest risqué text message gets mistakenly sent to his female superior’s phone, he finds himself on the brink of a heart attack. Fortunately, Chris and their group step in to offer assistance, suggesting they have contacts who are tech-savvy enough to possibly reverse the message transmission, thereby erasing all traces from “the cloud.

As I sit alongside my buddy Billy at our makeshift hideout, I find myself comforting him while the rest of our gang embarks on a daring adventure across the gritty underbelly of New York City. Their mission? To tap into their network of contacts and see if they can pull through in the nick of time.

In their journey, they encounter various baffling detours, but one particular stop leaves quite an impression. This is a raunchy nightclub managed by one of our associates, a character who seems to be teetering on the edge of madness, fueled possibly by drugs and with a peculiar hobby – removing unnecessary organs from his own body. Yet, he’s also a tech genius, albeit unstable.

Moments like these make “Caper” an audacious mix of adult content, reminiscent of a collision between “Eyes Wide Shut” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” The friends are eventually faced with the question: How far would we go to help a friend in dire need?

Silliness Builds to a Great Finale

In a nod to Martin Scorsese-style New York City grit (akin to his movie ‘After Hours’), there are several scenes that truly stand out. For one instance, you’ll find yourself chuckling when the plump character Larry attempts to schmooze at the front desk of his boss’ swanky apartment building. The doorman, played by Joseph R. Sicari, is a scene-stealer in small roles. However, there’s a twist: the doorman isn’t a doorwoman, which complicates Larry’s attempts to flirt. Given the setting of New York City’s underworld, he decides to try bribery instead. Unfortunately, this doesn’t go as planned, leading to a heated argument between the two New Yorkers that could potentially attract the attention of the authorities. This exchange brings to mind the humorous antics of a character like Jerry Seinfeld’s Costanza.

In this absurdly lengthy predicament faced by these hapless individuals (it might border on ridiculous at times), the story’s conclusion must satisfy the audience – whether it offers an epic, tragic, or even comical resolution compared to what’s been presented so far. Fortunately, director Imperial manages to create one that encompasses all three elements. Throughout the movie’s concise duration (just barely exceeding 90 minutes with credits), you’ll be on the edge of your seat wondering if Phil’s boss will make an appearance. If she does, will she read Phil’s infamous text message – the one that holds immense power? I won’t reveal any spoilers, but certain plotlines are effectively resolved, including those involving the main characters. To illustrate, take Chris for example. He seems to be the emotional core of this New York City adventure, and we eventually discover what this troubled character truly needs beyond his simple wish to assist a friend.

Introducing some additional celebrity presence in “Caper” could have enhanced its appeal upon distribution, but such is the nature of the film industry. These particular actors may yet rise to stardom; they exhibit an exceptional chemistry that seems almost too authentic for scripted roles, giving the impression they are non-professionals. Interestingly enough, some of these actors have appeared in numerous other productions prior, and considering the peculiar manner in which Imperial’s film is presented before the end credits, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect a sequel, “Caper 2,” that reunites these actors for further success in their careers.

17D Productions’ movie titled “Caper” was first shown at the 2025 South by Southwest Film Festival, and it will be screened again on the 9th and 14th of March. For details on screening times and additional information, check here: [Link to showtimes]

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2025-03-08 09:03