You know, lately after a watching a horror movie in the theaters, a phrase I hear from other fellow moviegoers is “This should have been just a short”. Years ago, most of the time I disagreed, but lately… Not so much.
And that is why it was great when I saw a short called “Faces” and all I could think was: “This should be a full movie!”
Before I lose my self geeking out, I’ll give you the official synopsis:
“Following the disappearance of a local girl on a dark October evening, Judy, a college student visiting for the weekend, is invited to a fraternity party. For Judy, what could have been a night of fun and drinking spirals out of control when she encounters a mysterious, deadly entity. As the night unfolds, the entity’s uncanny quest brings violent consequences for those who cross its path.”
This was the last short that I could check out from Fantasia 2024, and it turned out to be hands down my favorite.
At first I’m sure a lot of people will roll their eyes and think “Ah, it’s another copy of “It Follows”, but this short has it’s own thing going on, and it packs a punch!
There are very good scary moments, filled with tension and some gore with very good special effects.
I jumped a couple times in my seat, and let me tell you, that does not happens often. I can even tell you the only TWO movies that have done that in the last 10 years! (One will be playing also in Fantasia 2024, but I cannot yet say the name).
Yes, there is a creature, and looks very good.
I liked the nature of the entity (I refuse to call it a monster) and how he goes about in the world. I could say more, but sadly, being this story so short, it would be spoiling the whole thing, and trust me, you do not want to miss this one!
If I had to say anything negative of this short, it would be that the ending left me with mixed feelings, and it’s hard to say why without spoilers.
In one hand, it’s a very sensible moment that makes you empathize with the entity and it is a good moment, but on the other, I think I did not want to have it as the last part of the story.
Although the last scene picks up the mood and ends on a higher note, I felt like it lost the big punch it was going for. If this were a full movie, it probably would have worked better.
Could the story get messed up if it is extended to a full feature?
Maybe, but I think there are so many great opportunities and places where the story could go, and I believe the writer and director Blake Simon have tons of ideas in mind, if not a full script written already.
(And if he doesn’t… He can give me a call… Just saying)
I highly recommend you to watch this short if it becomes available one day. And I will say it loud and clear: I would buy my ticket immediately, if this becomes a full feature in the future.
And I will be reviewing more films doing our remote coverage, so stay tuned!
