What can happen in 1-minute and 14 seconds? Quite a lot it would seem. I felt this would have made a great short film of a longer length but is perfect the way it is. I love watching these micro-short horror films from Phil Brocklehurst; they are all compelling and unique in their own special way.
We enter the scene with a burning candle. Then the Demonic Man (played by P. M Thomas) is begging God for help, because he is possessed by a demon, and although he likes the feeling and control over his victim's, he wants it to stop. We watch his journey as he comes undone, it's a frightening display of what happens to people who are possessed by dark forces. As we watch his descent into madness, the tone is dripping in terror, that we the viewer can really feel and sense. He is in peril as he comes to terms with what he has done to his victims. This one is a gore fest and is very well done I have to say. We see images of horror that will turn your stomach over. We learn that it's the demon who is making him mutilate and kill people. The tone is dreadful and as the character has had enough of murdering people at the demands of this evil entity, his fear, horror and the tension are all coming through loud and clear. It's a simple story with many layers, which is great texturing for the storyline and the overall plot. The ending is epic. But wait, there is a twist you didn't see coming. Like me, you might be a little shocked, but not too surprised as we have gathered by the end of this, that what he does is a part of him that he can't get rid of. Does he manage to rid himself of the demon attached to him? The final image really gives the viewer a closeup visual of the Demon Man's terror, when he realises the truth.
This is a great gory little horror, and another golden gem from Phil Brocklehurst and his team. The editing by Phil Brocklehurst and Alex Wesly is top notch. The cinematography by Alex Wesly and Brad Fletcher is excellent, with the closeup shots, angled shots and different points of views. The special effects by Alex Wesly and Efim Mezko, is expertly effective and appalling - bloody body parts, mangled heads, blood splattered everywhere, extreme gore, implements of torture, visceral images of death and destruction that left me with a rollercoaster ride of emotions. A foreboding feeling overcame me, confirming, there are evil people out there like this abhorrent character, who creep through the night, or look in your windows while you're having dinner with the family. You might start to think, he could be your neighbour, or your best friend since college. This small cut will make you ponder, but it's easy to comprehend the story and to grasp the ending. I highly recommend you watch this one. Hopefully, like me, you won't be disappointed.
Reviewed by Del Gibson.
