The fiendishly funny directorial debut of actress and screenwriter Sophie Kargman, “Susie Searches” tells the story of an antisocial true crime podcaster determined to make a name for herself by solving a serious crime, even if she has to perpetrate it herself. The film stars Kiersey Clemons in the titular role, with a supporting cast that includes Alex Wolff, Rachel Sennott and Isaac Cole Powell. It is currently streaming exclusively on Hulu.

The plot follows Susie, played by Clemons, an awkward college student with few friends and even fewer followers of her true crime podcast, “Susie Searches.” Her big break finally comes when she rescues a kidnapped college student, Jesse, played by Wolff. However, as attention and accolades pour in, the hunt for the assailant drives Susie to take desperate and disturbing measures to conceal a terrible secret.

“Susie Searches” is definitely an acquired taste. Kargman utilizes a distinctive blend of dark comedy and severe tension that occasionally lapses into distracting tonal dissonance. When a scene leans heavily into either tone, the results are quite compelling. However, the jarring shifts create the sense that the film would have been better off committing to one of them rather than both.

The cinematography and sound design are exceptional, boasting a vibrant color palette and a perpetually creepy acoustic environment. Editor Christine Park brings a unique touch with plenty of unorthodox transitions and cuts that make for instantly memorable scenes.

Clemons is perfect in the lead role, helping us sympathize with Susie and understand why she goes to the lengths that she does. Wolff makes Jesse a hilariously obnoxious influencer before smashing expectations with an emotionally nuanced core. As always, Sennott is a delight to watch as Susie’s co-worker Jillian, even if her supporting role is too small. Similarly, though he lacks significant screen time, Powell’s Ray leaves a lasting impression.

Overall, “Susie Searches” is a compelling and comedic character study bolstered by strong performances and superb direction.