By RACHEL MEGHAN
Starring Katie Mackey, Chris Frank and David VonHippchen
Written and directed by Brian K. Rosenthal
Dead Pixel
If you thought Halloween was spooky before, think again, because in the horror short POV, the spookiest night of the year is straight-up deadly – and no one really knows why. The film takes the home invasion trope to a whole new level, not only delivering on gore and thrills, but livestreaming everything to a home audience via a mask turned camera. You’re not just watching the horror unravel around you; you’re put directly in the middle of it.
In the universe of POV, October 31st is a day when crime spikes for reasons unknown. Citizens are advised to stay indoors to steer clear of the plethora of masked killers that roam the streets. We are introduced to a couple sheltering on Halloween night before their home is invaded by two masked killers. The Purge comparisons are obvious, but what sets this particular short apart is what is left unexplained. Truly, the best horror shorts have a simple concept and execution, leaving a lot to the viewer’s imagination. It is only seventeen minutes long, after all.
What knocks POV out of the park is the cinematography. The smooth transitions make you feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride, as you’re brought along on a cat-and-mouse chase between the killer and his prey. The kills are solid, and there is gore aplenty. Heads are smashed in, faces are slashed open and brains literally leak off the frame. (One particular knife-to-the-eyeball sequence will make you squirm in your seat!) The standout element in this film is definitely the fight choreography, which is very well executed and expertly shot. POV is very atmospheric and well-designed, with simple but effective art direction and jumpscare-inducing special effects.
Similar to The Purge, the film is bookended by several newscasts that set up the terror in the context of the world around it. You get political commentary on the rise of Halloween murders from both the right and the left, mirroring the world we live in today. This sets the scene perfectly and doesn’t overload you with lore. Overall, a very effective piece and a gorgeously macabre little short that’s sure to get you thinking about the future of the real world. Because isn’t that what good horror does best?
Watch Brian K. Rosenthal’s POV now… If you dare!
