Other Side of the Box
Directed by Caleb J. Phillips
Written by Caleb J. Phillips & Nick Tag
2018, USA
A couple is given a mysterious gift by an estranged friend. Once opened, the box reveals bizarre, potentially deadly contents.
Excellent, award-winning stuff from the Phillips/Tag creative duo, highlighted by Laura Jansen’s superb cinematography.
Other Side of the Box makes a great double-feature with Heath C. Michaels’ The World Over.
Crop
Written & Directed by Kyle Ginzburg
2016, USA
Set against the backdrop of the black-market organ trade, auteur Ginzburg delivers an offbeat take on a familiar horror character in this slick short that fans of Tony Scott’s The Hunger (1983) and Larry Fessenden’s Habit (1995) will especially appreciate.
Alice Jacobs is Dead
Written & Directed by Alex Horwitz
2009, USA
A scientist works at creating a cure for a devastating disease, concealing a dangerous secret along the way.
This take on the potential end of civilization focuses on the relationship between its two lead characters, with just enough of the outside world on view to effectively provide Alice Jacobs is Dead with its grim backdrop.
The performance by veteran actor Adrienne Barbeau is excellent.
Service
Written & Directed by Jerry Pyle
2014, USA
Auteur Pyle-maker of the horror short classic Burn (2011) and the enjoyable piece of black comedy mayhem Trust (2015)-delivers this violent story of a young woman with an off-the-beaten-path job who experiences a really, really bad day at work.
We want more short horror from the talented Pyle.
Prey
Written & Directed by Bill Whirity
2019, USA
A first date quickly spirals into madness but, as is the case with many horror short films, all may not be as it seems.
Prey is slick, memorable work from Whirity, who also made the horror shorts Semblance (2014) and Below (2015).
The World Over
Written & Directed by Heath C. Michaels
2018, USA
A young couple finds a mysterious key in their home followed by a hidden keyhole.
They use the key and discover an increasingly disturbing parallel world that’s not quite a mirror image of their own.
Great stuff from creator Michaels in his highly accomplished short film debut.
Midnight Clear
Directed by Joe Russo
Written by John Jesenky & Joe Russo
2017, USA
Veteran horror short filmmaker Russo abandons the more whimsical tone found in some of his previous work like Take-Out (2009) and Peeping Tom (2010) for this dark, outstanding piece that cleverly moves in unexpected directions.
Midnight Clear makes an ideal double-feature pairing with Brandon LaGanke’s Play House.
Ayuda
Directed by Patrick Mason
Written by Patrick Mason & Raul Serpas
2018, USA
Two day laborers find themselves in way over their heads in this fresh take on classic horror genre elements.
Ayuda uses great autumnal atmosphere as a backdrop for its horrific events.
Director Mason is someone to keep an eye on.
Boniato
Directed by Eric Mainade & Andres Meza-Valdes & Diego Meza-Valdes
Written by Eric Mainade & Andres Meza-Valdes
2015, USA
A migrant field worker decides to seek a better life but is thrown into a living Hell as she is attacked by flesh-eating creatures in this slick and gory short.
Florida-based filmmakers Andres Meza-Valdes and Diego Meza-Valdes previously made the horror shorts The Room (2007), Halfway (2009), Play Dead (2011) and Haunt Ed (2012) but Boniato is by far their most effective and accomplished work to date.
The Job
Directed by Nick Blatt
Written by Erik VanBezooijin
2016, USA
At the recommendation of a friend, a former champion cyclist takes odd, high-paying employment that raises potentially dangerous questions in this assured debut short film from Nick Blatt that features very solid acting.