Comer & Melling's Taxidermy Musical Shocks TIFF

The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is hosting the premiere of "Stuffed," a distinctive musical romance starring Jodie Comer and Harry Melling. Comer, known for her assassin role in "Killing Eve," underwent taxidermy training for her character Araminta, finding the practice unexpectedly insightful into her psychology. The film, which also incorporates horror elements, is director Theo Rhys's feature debut and is an expansion of his 2021 SXSW award-winning short.

Melling was drawn to the project by Rhys's unique script delivery, which included recordings of all songs. The creative team, Rhys and Joss Holden-Rea, aimed to create an original musical that explores profound emotional stakes, including love and finding meaning. "Stuffed" premiered at TIFF on Thursday, receiving a highly responsive and humorous audience reaction, highlighted by a moment of collective support for Melling's character.