“Would you still love me if I were a worm?” It is the kind of bizarre question that has launched a thousand memes and tested a million boyfriends’ patience. But in writer-director Aaron Alter’s Would You Love Me If I Were a Worm?, that viral hypothetical becomes something real, and the result is a surprisingly heartfelt blend of comedy, sincerity, and emotional depth.
Running just over 13 minutes, Would You Love Me If I Were a Worm? takes that internet joke and leans into it fully, asking what it would actually mean to wake up and find your partner transformed. Rather than going for cheap laughs, Alter explores the emotional weight of the situation with sharp humour and a grounded, sincere approach.
The comedy works because it feels natural. The writing is tight, the performances hit the right emotional notes, and the pacing allows every beat to land. The cinematography gives the film a soft, intimate texture. Each scene feels lived-in, placing you right beside the protagonist as he navigates this strange new reality. Sound design and visual details are also used with care, especially during moments that walk the line between absurd and emotionally raw.
“…asking what it would actually mean to wake up and find your partner transformed.”
What really makes Would You Love Me If I Were a Worm? stand out is its unexpected tenderness. There are moments that catch you off guard, not just with how funny they are, but with how much they make you care. You understand the protagonist’s conflict. You even start to feel for the worm. The emotional arc is compact but well-developed, moving from disbelief and denial to something closer to acceptance.
It becomes a story about love, change, discomfort, and the strange things we are willing to accept when we care deeply for someone. What could have been a one-joke premise is instead treated with warmth, nuance, and a surprising amount of heart. Alter shows a clear understanding of tone, letting the humour and sincerity complement each other rather than compete.
Alter has managed to take a meme and turn it into a meditation on relationships that is both funny and meaningful. Would You Love Me If I Were a Worm? is surreal, sweet, and somehow deeply human. You will walk away smiling, and maybe reconsidering your answer to the question.
"…heartfelt and hilarious meditation..."
