‘Agatha’ Short Film Review: A Deliciously Disturbing Tale

I’ve loved horror movies ever since I was a little girl, but rarely do I get frightened or jump away from the screen. It’s the adrenaline and suspense from the stories that really suck me in, and when I do receive a good scare, I’m pleasantly surprised. This happened to me recently with the horror short film Agatha (2016).

Written and directed by Timothy Vandenberg, Agatha is an 8-minute (10 if you count credits), hauntingly beautiful story that horror fans shouldn’t miss, starring Louise Ogle, Penny Kohut, and Renee Farrabow. It made its official debut at the 16th Annual Screamfest in Los Angeles, and ever since then, the horror short has received much love from critics everywhere.

“The orphan train comes daily, spilling hundreds of children onto the streets of Pennsylvania in the late 1800s. Desperate and alone, the penniless 7-year-old Sophie entrusts an older woman who hires her to bring food each night to someone living in her attic. There is just one rule: Do not pass the serving table….EVER.” As time passes, the child’s curiosity grows bold; drawing her closer to discovering the truth behind the prisoner.”

Agatha is truly one of the best horror stories I’ve seen in the past year and is everything horror should be. In only 8 minutes, it was able to capture my attention and leave me with lingering chills and excitement, something that not even feature-length films are able to do. It’s beautifully executed from the beginning until the very end. The visuals are extraordinary, in addition to the exceptional performances, an eerie atmosphere, and a storyline that is horrific.

The story opens up with a wonderful shot of the gorgeous Victorian home and pays close attention to detail. The details and emptiness of the house give it an eerie atmosphere right away, but not without help from sound designer Diego Jimenez. This continues on throughout the story, helping to execute the horror we are about to encounter. My favorite part of the short film was the deliciously disturbing twist at the end!

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The characters are strong and impressionable, especially Lousie Ogle. Even though there is no dialogue after the two-minute mark, she focuses on significant details, such as her gestures and surroundings. She plays the young orphan girl, Sophie, and her stellar performance triumphantly brings the character to life. The viewer feels compassion and sadness for her as she desperately tries to make any money she can in a bizarre and uncomfortable situation.

Last but not least, I must give credit to the FX Artist Tony Rosen, whose creation will probably leave me with nightmares to come. That’s all I can say, however. You’ll have to watch to find out what I’m talking about.

Overall, I’m genuinely impressed by this short spooky tale. I was glued to the screen for eight incredible minutes and remained thinking about the film long after it was over. Not all horror stories do that, but this one does. Agatha reminds me of how I felt the first time we got to peek into what was hiding in the upstairs bedroom in Pet Sematary– the first encounter with the terrifying Zelda, who gave me constant childhood nightmares. Those exact same emotions ran through me as I watched this film.

I’ve heard that Timothy Vandenberg is making this into a full-length feature, and if this is true, I’m incredibly excited to see what more he can do with the story. Based on this short, I can’t wait to see his future projects. Don’t miss out on Agatha, you’ll regret it if you do!