[Updates from The Writer's Desk]

Oct 15th – Childer

Jonathan Butcher: An irritable, borderline-bitch of a mum tries to keep her endearing dork of a young kid out of trouble. A great atmosphere and effective acting can’t save this one from the pitfall that most of these stories fall into: a disappointing conclusion.

There was one point towards the end when I believe that both Michelle and I became legitimately angry at the same time, which is a shame because it had felt up until then like a disconcerting domestic-folk horror.

Three and a half sledgehammered kneecaps out of five.

Rated: 3.5/5

Michelle von Eschen: Freaky fairytale-esque short that is beautifully filmed and edited with an unsettling concept that seems to make some sense, but also leaves a few things unanswered.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 16th – Zebra

JB: I liked this one. Two likable old biddies wander through the darkness marked by blood, searching for something.

The two elderly protagonists made me chuckle, and the ridiculous reveal made me laugh even harder. As Michelle pointed out though, there was a pretty lame segment of editing and an unfortunately nonsensical conclusion. However, I found the story and the main characters amusing enough to keep me entertained.

Three point seven-five festering pustules out of five.

Rated: 3.75/5

MvE: Surprising and fun, but poor editing during a certain scene reminded me I was watching something fake. Perhaps it was an intentional choice to add to the silliness?

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 17th – Human Form

JB: In a world where only a twisted form of perfection is acceptable, one “normal” girl seeks treatment for her unforgivably natural appearance.

I wanted the horror of this dystopian-style tale to be increased, but it was still shot beautifully and some of the imagery was truly unsettling. 

Four staked innocents out of five.

Rated: 4/5

MvE: Social commentary through body horror, but another one where the ending was a bit of a letdown. Those faces will haunt me though. Incredible treatment.

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 18th – Mr. Creak

JB: The format and idea was fantastic, and the atmosphere intense in a haunted house, spookshow kind of way. However, the final reveal had all the terror of a whoopie cushion.

Like Michelle’s succinct comments, there’s not much else to say here.

Three impotent necrophiles out of five.

Rated: 3/5

MvE: Amazing concept, but a shit ending. Not much else to say without giving things away.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 19th – The Strange Things About the Johnsons

JB: Oof. This one may be slightly rough around the edges compared to Ari Aster’s more recent Hereditary and Midsommar, but the taboo familial dynamics he explores here hit hard. This is the kind of horror that appals me: not the horror of ghosts and ghoulies, but the horror of humanity, and of justifying its abominations.

If any of these films require a trigger warning – that is, unless we decide to watch the infamous Aftermath – it’s this one. It’s shot well, the dialogue and acting is strong, and the situation distressing, believable, and concluded in a satisfying way.

Four and three-quarters dismembered ostriches out of five (only the head of the final one is missing).

Rated: 4.75/5

MvE: This one is the heaviest and most real short we’ve watched. I was impressed by the acting. The true horror of this is perhaps how devastating staying silent can be. Watch and you’ll understand.

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 20th – Banana Motherfucker

JB: This. Is. My. Shit. The plot? Irrelevant: this is a film about bananas that murder you.

It’s one of the silliest comedy gorefests I’ve seen in years, and plays out like a fruit-based Bad Taste. It made me laugh throughout, and when it had finished, I was still giggling and needed a minute or two to compose myself.

Glorious.

Five auto-cannibalised ass-steaks out of five.

Rated: 5/5

MvE: Over-the-top gore plus a hilarious concept made this short a pleasure to view. A great palate cleanser that still satisfies the horror craving. Most creative kills I’ve ever seen.

Rated: 5/5 because of the bulldog. 4.5/5 otherwise

Oct 21st – The Jigsaw

JB: A silly bearded sod deliberately ignores a creepy shopkeeper’s warning and purchases an unusual jigsaw puzzle.

I quite liked this one. It looked great and had the pacing and acting quality of a non-indie feature. Michelle (or I, or a combined effort of the two – I forget) guessed most of the ending, but that’s okay; we’re horror writers, so it’s how our brains work. However, an extra little cherry-on-the-top twist satisfied me. I felt that with an extra little flourish or two, this one could have been one of our Halloween favourites, but even without those, I thought it was great.

Four inappropriately-touching poltergeists out of five.

Rated: 4/5

MvE: Beautiful settings and the puzzle was well made. However character inconsistencies frustrated me and I felt like if only one decision or another was changed, the plot issues could have been fixed.

Rated: 3.75/5