There has been a surge in high quality horror shorts due to the popularity of films such as Light’s Out and those seen on CryptTv. These types of films are a great and inexpensive way for filmmakers to showcase their talent while leaving viewers wanting to see more. Of course, they can also be more difficult since the director has a very short time to “wow” us.
Recently, I viewed the short indie slasher film PLAYBACK, which was written and directed by Nathan Crooker. The film clocks in just under four minutes and was shot in a single take.
Synopsis: A short horror movie of an unsuspecting man who settles into his new apartment only to discover the gruesome dangers of what happens when one steps in the path of someone else’s deadly fate.
I actually ended up watching PLAYBACK a few times before writing this review. Not for the sake of the review itself, but simply because it was that good. The lighting and cinematography gave the film a panicked and close feel while the main actor, Corey Scott Rutledge, carried the action and horror well. The slasher, played by Tristan Chase, was pretty damn terrifying, despite such a short on-screen time.
Nathan Cooker is obviously a talented filmmaker who knows how to strike horror with the audience quickly. I cannot wait to check out more of his work and see what else he has in store for the genre. Seriously, take a few minutes and watch PLAYBACK because it is absolutely worth your time.
Rating: 4.5/5