Toe Tags (2026) Film Review – Put Your Best Foot Forward

Posted on by Jim Cox

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While Phallacies was a brazen exploration of male genitalia, and Analogies took an unflinching examination of the anus, filmmakers Domiziano Cristopharo and Jon Devlin have returned to tackle human extremities situated a little lower on the body: the humble foot. Heavily stigmatised throughout the world with its association with uncleanliness, and often the butt of the joke in the fetishism community, foot fetishism is actually one of the most prolific sexual kinks practised in modern society. And, once again, Domiziano and Jon are here with their outlandish approach to filmmaking to challenge societal norms on this topic.

Toe Tags is a 2026 extreme-horror anthology film, featuring segments directed by Domiziano Cristopharo, Cory DeAn Cowley, Pete Lankston, Jon Devlin, Irene “Jones” Baruffetti, and Adam Ford.

Clara

Written and directed by Domiziano Crisopharo. After the death of her mother, a woman inherits her shoe collection. However, sometimes possessions aren’t the only thing that are passed down.

Featuring a muted colour palette and a mournful score, Clara is a melancholic tale of loss, grief, and the psychological damage it can cause. Delivering a mostly dialogueless performance, the film’s protagonist, played by Eva Caradas, effortlessly propels the narrative forward through environmental storytelling. Moreover, the film’s cinematography adds a layer of unease to the story. Implementing gradated zooms, the smooth continuous zeroing in both emphasises the emotional weight of the scene and creates a level of rising tension.

Nails

Written and directed by Cory DeAn Cowley. A paranoid schizophrenic’s impulsive thoughts lead to a slow descent into self-inflicted desecration.

Minimal in design, Nails presents a claustrophobic story of mental decay and mutilation. Beginning with an ardent monologue, Cory offers an authentically unsettling depiction of obsession and psychological decline—serving as a solid driving force for this ‘one-hander’. Furthermore, tight cinematography, shifting focal points, and an unsettling score build undeniable tension and a sense of anticipation for what’s to come.

While starting restrained, the practical special effects soon ramp up into an impressively visceral display of disfigurement. From DIY nail extraction to trichophagia, the filmmaker goes above and beyond with her uniquely over-the-top, uncomfortable pragmatism.

Podophile

Written, directed, and animated by Pete Lankston. A child who suffered sexual abuse takes revenge against his monstrous father in adulthood.

Featuring a simplistic yet unnerving art style, Podophile’s animation provides a disturbing visual design to accompany the perturbing narrative. The use of photorealistic skin textures for characters is uncanny, adding an uncomfortably naturalistic undertone to the short as a whole. Additionally, the character designs are equally disturbing. The grotesque, inhuman depiction of the father captures the character’s bestial nature. Equally, the mother’s visualisation as a blank mannequin-esc doll portrays the character as an object whose sole purpose is to be subject to abuse.

The narrative itself is a disturbing tale of domestic abuse, rape, and child sexual abuse, all told from the protagonist’s perspective. While the story touches on sensitive subjects, it certainly imbues a level of catharsis in the inevitable torture and death of this father figure at the hands of his son.

The Perfect Pair (Il Paio Perfetto)

Written and directed by Jon Devlin. Determined to fit into the perfect pair of shoes by any means necessary, a woman searches for the ideal-sized feet to replace her own.

A gritty, giallo-inspired reimagining of the Cinderella fairytale, The Perfect Pair flawlessly blends the two opposing influences into a unique composition. Featuring a highly saturated palette and coloured lighting, the visuals are certainly reminiscent of the works of Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci. Additionally, the progressive, synth-heavy score is influenced by renowned musicians such as Fabio Frizzi and Goblin, who have provided countless memorable scores in classic giallo.

In traditional giallo fashion, the film goes to great lengths to keep the killer’s identity a mystery. Through purposeful cinematography, a level of obscuration is stylishly maintained for the duration—providing a great twist in the short’s conclusion.

Part of Your World

Written and directed by Irene “Jones” Baruffetti. Beginning to regret her new life, a Mermaid mourns the tail she once abandoned.

A reworking of The Little Mermaid, Part of Your World follows Hans Christian Andersen’s narrative relatively closely for the most part. From her deal with the sea witch to her constant agony in her newly gained limbs, the film’s first act is a near carbon copy of the original work. However, how the film differentiates itself is its diversion from the original’s ending. Exploring feelings of regret and frustration that build up to our protagonist taking ownership of her phantom pains through physical means, and eventual suicide. Additionally, the cinematography’s soft focus and high exposure instil an ethereal, dream-like aesthetic to flashback scenes, differentiating themselves from the present instinctively.

Number 43

Written by Domiziano Cristopharo and directed by Adam Ford. A man dances one last time with his wife’s ghost

Effectively carried by the film’s single character, played by Franjà, Number 43 is an alluringly cryptic tale of loss. With a simplistic yet inscrutable narrative, the film’s visual design carries much of the short’s progression. Coloured lighting drenches scenes in vibrant pinks, purples, and blues, imbuing a juxtaposition of the inner conflict of our protagonist through their contrast. Moreover, while limited in their implementation, the practical effects are a sensational display of cannibalism and self-mutilation through effective bloodwork and realistic limbs.

An enticing collection of feet-themed filmdom, Toe Tags is another superb showcase against societal norms. While more varied in tone than Phallacies or Analogies, the film presents a superb blend of shorts from different genres, creating a fantastic fusion of underground cinema which embraces its theme artfully. From melancholic drama to visceral, blood-soaked horror, Toe Tags is another outstanding anthology from Domiziano and Jon, and raises the question: where will the pair’s fight against censorship take them next?

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Toe Tags (2026) is available to purchase from Dagon Films’ website here.

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