One of the most frightening scenarios someone can find themselves in is being in a car with a complete stranger. Yet, this is a very realistic situation many have faced for various reasons. Patrick Mason’s short horror film, Ayuda, explores that fear and leaves us with a terrifying outcome.
Two day laborers (Caleb Vasquez and David LaMorte) are traveling in a car with a strange man (Tom Belgrey) who is hauling a long, mysterious wooden crate as they drive deep into the forest. They have been hired to help the man bury the sealed crate, but one of the workers fears they are disposing of a body. When his curiosity gets the better of him, he unleashes something quite unexpected.
This is now the second short film I have had the pleasure of reviewing from Patrick Mason, and, once again, the rich production values and solid performances are nothing short of impressive. The story plays out naturally, building suspense subtly at first, until things run full-speed. The pacing is never thrown off for the sake of rushing the story or character development.
There’s a saying that every good short film leaves you wanting more, and this definitely rings true for Ayuda. By the time the credits roll at just under 12 minutes, I desperately wanted to see what comes next. However, some things are better left to the imagination at times, and the ending still more than satisfies.
Overall, the film displays Mason’s knack for bringing together a strong cast and his talent behind the camera. Perhaps one day, we will get to see what he can do with a feature length as well.
Take 12 minutes out of your day and check out Ayuda for yourself below. You won’t regret it.