Review: ‘Project Horror’ Odd Interrogations, Demonic Forces and an Unhappy Birthday Come Together for this Award Winning Short
Project Horror, a new short, is making the rounds this year in various film festivals, most recently the 16th Vesuvius International Film Fest. It was here where the short won Best First Time Director for Rob E (Robert Holland). The screenplay was penned by Albert Gerber and Holland, based on his story. An excellent short film, when done right, should provoke the same emotion as any feature. Some of my favorite horror movies got their start as shorts; Saw (Saw 0.5), Trick R’ Treat (Seasons Greetings), and of course, 1981s Evil Dead (Within the Woods) all have roots in the format.
Project Horror begins in the aftermath of a horrific attack that left four dead, with cops scrambling to make sense of the gruesome scene that they’ve arrived upon. As the lone survivor, Jaimie (Spring Lyons) is comforted by an officer when two mysterious men enter the home and assume control of the crime scene.
With a sense of urgency to their interrogation, they give Jamie one minute to compose herself, literally, then start their line of questions on the night’s events. No detail is too small as Jaimie recounts the events that led her to this moment. Despite her hesitation, Agent 1 (Bobby Laenen) persuades her that no matter how outlandish her tale may be, they have more than enough personal experience in similar experiences to believe her.
Celebrating her older sister Beth’s (Callie Bussell) birthday, Jaimie and a group of friends have gathered at the house for drinks and a night of festivities. When the partygoers being picked off one by one due to an unseen entity, panic and confusion take over until only Jaimie and her sister Beth are left face to face with a shrouded figure that isn’t from this world. The two must find strength together to fight back or be taken by the mysterious force.
What could be perceived as a run-of-the-mill slasher/ home invasion sub-genre narrative is quickly dismissed as layers of mystery and a clever twist are introduced, opening possibilities for a much bigger world-building opportunity in Project Horror. Acknowledging classics that have paved the way, such as Leatherface, Freddy, and even a nod to everyone’s favorite ginger killer, Chucky, the filmmakers know their roots. Astute audiences can also find subtle clues to one of Stephen King’s most famous cosmic horrors.
Budget and time constraints aside, director Robert Holland’s handling of the flashbacks is what got me to sit up and take notice. It bridges the two timelines in a way that feels unique, and we don’t have to keep cutting from past to present as the Agent appears in the backstory still asking questions.
We stay in the moment of her memories, keeping the tension and horror escalating that would be lost if he’d cut away. The actors sell the illusion and make the scenes effective. A movie that came to mind was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, where we don’t just see the visions, but the characters are interacting with their past images. Very ambitious filmmaking from a first-time director.
The Figure as it’s known in the credits is original, not an entirely unseen concept in genre film, but more the nature of its presence. Played by both a male (Jeff Marshall) and female (Abigail Holland) actor, the different body types and movements each brings to their performance keep the audience guessing as the figure changes shape, giving it an unsettling feeling as you never get a sense of its basic form. A dark cloak and eerily painted mask add that extra layer of discomfort and curiosity about what lies beneath. The use of light and energy suggests an angelic being, even if its actions are demonic.
Spring Lyons is doing all the heavy lifting in Project Horror as Jaimie, she carries the emotional journey of the film. As she leads us into the darkness of the events, our narrator’s performance as she realizes the gravity of her loss is heartbreaking. Bobby Laenen as Agent 1 and Patrick Harney and Agent 2 are investigators out of time. With a noir look, they feel timeless, which sells the premise in a way that modern dress and dialogue wouldn’t have. It’s a Mulder and Scully or Sam and Dean Winchester aesthetic but with a classic detective or Private Investigator tone.
Short films may not always be polished or perfect, but with the good ones, you can see the creativity, talent, and ingenuity in every frame. With Project Horror getting the notice it deserves, we’re getting to know a filmmaker honing his craft and growing as a storyteller. I’m hopeful we’ll get future iterations of the world Holland is crafting as the film’s awards and attention grow with each screening. 4/5
You can check out the trailer for the award winning short Project Horror below. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for all things horror, sci-fi and more.
About Post Author
K.B. O’Neil is an artist, writer and musician living in Cincinnati, Ohio. He loves movies, books, video games, snuggling his two pups and all things Horror. When not working he can be found getting into adventures with his wife and their new daughter.
Truly humbled by this review. This film took a lot of work from everyone involved and we are proud of the final product. Thank you for taking the time to review and we are grateful for your write up!