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Friday, April 7, 2017

Best in Show: Horror Shorts (Pt. II of II)


5. Bedfellows
Like Tuck Me In, Bedfellows is sure to make sleep just that much more difficult. There's something about bed time and the ominous nature of the possibilities of something being in your bed that is just so terrifying and this short capitalizes on these fears. Featuring a jolt ending that'll take your breath away, Bedfellows is a lean and tight scare that'll probably stick around long after its runtime.

 Is there any fear more primal than that of darkness? The answer is no and for good reason. Darkness - even in familiar settings - feels foreign - this is why Blackout is so effective. The absence of familiarity and security created by darkness, especially if that darkness is cast upon you suddenly and by an unknown action is so terrifying that when it happens in Blackout viewers will instantly know something is very wrong. Like many horror shorts, this one also includes an amazing final jump scare, so grip your seat tightly and get ready.

By far the most well-known on the list, it goes without saying that Lights Out is a standout. While the movie expands and changes up the mythology created by the original short, it's tiny beginnings certainly impress. From the end jump scene to the shadowy figure visible only through backlighting, Lights Out catapulted horror shorts to a larger audience. Points are additionally given for the actress who also stars in the not as good, but still scary, Pictured (They're both directed by David Sandberg). There's really not more to be said, if you know someone who hasn't seen it, make them.

2. Vicious
Both Vicious and Blackout use similar styles and means to scare audiences. From quiet observances into the dark to simplistic and grounded camera work, each intends to terrify and do so with success. But, what makes Vicious just that much better is an added element of home invasion. There is something so innately terrifying about the character's realization that someone broke into her home and could possibly still be there. It is one of my biggest fears and is one of the most practical short horror films available as it opts for fear over any other cinematic prowess. From start to end, Vicious is, well, vicious.

While Vicious is incredibly scary, it is The Smiling Man that takes this list cake. Equally suspenseful as it is well done, I would argue that more than any other movie on this list, this short's mythology could and should be made into a feature length. The little girl is a terrific actress and as she presses forward on a trail of balloons, The Smiling Man is able to engross viewers. It's the type of horror short that will legitimately be trapped in your brain, preventing sleep for the days following. The end reveal is one of the most horrific and terrifying moments in modern horror as audiences and the little girl try to cope as to what is in their face. Is the smiling man a crazed person or some supernatural entity? That is something a feature length film, if well-done, could explore.
 
 

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