Escape
Written & Directed by Lorenzo Manetti
2024, USA
Auteur Manetti delivers a brief, impactful slice of alien invasion horror with the ambitious, well-made Escape.
As with some of the other shorts on The Brief Macabre, this piece works as both a stand-alone short film and the opening scene of a feature film.
Casa
Directed by Alberto Evangelio
Written by Alberto Evangelio & Hugo Roman
2019, Spain
A realtor shows a young couple a home with a grim history in this memorable take on the haunted house subgenre.
An accomplished horror short filmmaker, director Evangelio has now moved into features with Visitor (2021) and My Heaven, Your Hell (2025).
In the Shadow of God
Written & Directed by Brian Sepanzyk
2022, Canada
In the wake of her father’s death, a woman returns to her family home and uncovers disturbing details about his passing.
Some viewers may find In the Shadow of God a bit oblique, but it is an impressive piece of work even if auteur Sepanzyk chooses not to give the audience all the answers.
This short features solid acting and creates an unsettling atmosphere.
El Monstruo
Directed by Gerard Nogueira
Written by Gerard Nogueira & Blai Domenech
2022, Colombia
Living in an isolated home in the woods, a father deals with disturbing revelations about his son in this memorable slice of horror.
This is the type of short film that works on its own while playing like the opening to a feature film.
El Monstruo makes a great double-feature with Ashlea Wessel’s Tick (2018).
Night Breakers
Written & Directed by Gabriel Campoy & Guillem Lafoz
2021, Spain
Survivors of an apocalyptic event travel through a subterranean tunnel, trying to reach a safe haven while being pursued by light-fearing creatures called “shadows”.
This highly accomplished, atmospheric short is highlighted by outstanding cinematography from co-director Campoy.
Fiend
Directed by Lucas Cavanagh
Written by Mya Stengel & Lolly McLellan & Lucas Cavanagh & Sydney Brumfield
2025, USA
Amelia-a young woman with a drug problem-calls on a close friend to come help her when she wakes up alone and disoriented. The friend arrives to find Amelia’s situation is much more dangerous than he expected.
This accomplished short packs a punch as it delivers a memorable take on the grim nature of addiction through a horror cinema lens.
Night Lights
Written & Directed by Andrew Fultz & Jenna Day
2025, USA
A couple drives deep into the desert in this very well-made, slow-burn journey into madness.
Auteurs Fultz and Day also star in the film, both delivering excellent acting performances.
Added to this compelling mix is great cinematography by Dennis Noack.
Girls
Directed by Julien Hosmalin
Written by Julien Hosmalin & Olivier Torres
2024, France
In this very well-made exercise in rural terror, a young couple suffers a mechanical breakdown while on a road-trip and are thrust into a life-or-death situation.
Girls is highlighted by good acting and excellent cinematography.
Sol
Written & Directed by Carlos G. Gananian
2017, Brazil
Gananian-the auteur behind the compelling vampire short film Akai (2006)– delivers a fresh take on the possession movie with Sol.
This short is a slow-burn viewing experience that delivers while it plays like the opening of feature film.
Callus
Written & Directed by Ciaran Hickey
2023, Ireland
A father must defend his daughter-afflicted with a monstrous birth defect-from superstitious villagers who blame her for the blight on their farmland in this very well-made short.
Auteur Hickey also made the horror short films The Boy Murder (2015) and Terrible Things (2021).