Directed by Laurie Powers Going

Warning – This review may contain spoilers.

Wildcat tells the story of Clara (Brenda Hattingh Peatross) a determined mother searching for answers after her husband, Sam (Johnny Chops), and daughter, Dottie (Elle Graper), mysteriously disappear. Set in early 1900s Texas during the oil boom, the film weaves themes of desperation, isolation, and the supernatural as Clara stalks the crew Sam worked with, believing them responsible for her family’s disappearance. The narrative takes a darker turn when Dottie suddenly reappears, but with something unsettling about her. Throughout a long, tension-filled night, Clara and Otis, the oil well owner (Adam Kitchen) come face to face, while a malevolent force toys with them.

The film effectively builds suspense and I found Clara’s desperation to be compelling as Peatross delivers a strong performance that carries the weight of her character’s emotional turmoil. Her portrayal of a mother driven by grief and anger anchors the film’s tension. However, the story leaves some critical gaps. There’s no clear explanation about how long Sam and Dottie have been missing or what circumstances led to their disappearance, which makes it harder to connect deeply with Clara’s quest. Dottie’s ghostly return, while eerie, lacks the necessary backstory to make her presence feel fully justified within the narrative, which diminishes the emotional impact of the film’s conclusion.

The sound design creates a tense atmosphere especially with the ominous noises that heighten the sense of dread. However, the song choice at the very end doesn’t fit with the rest of the film’s tone. The cinematography misses the opportunity to fully showcase the vast, desolate plains of Texas, which could have deepened the themes of isolation and loneliness. While the editing was uneven in sustaining the horror aspects, there are standout moments, particularly the scene where Otis throws a knife at Dottie’s ghost, a sequence that is both chilling and well-executed.

The performances were solid with Brenda Hattingh Peatross bringing a strong sense of intensity to Clara, and Adam Kitchen’s portrayal of Otis offering a grounded counterbalance to her increasingly frantic behavior. Johnny Chops brings a subtle but important layer to Sam’s backstory through flashbacks, while Elle Graper as Dottie brings an eerie, unsettling presence to her ghostly role.

Wildcat struggles to fully connect due to its lack of clear backstory and character development. The plot feels disjointed at times, and the motivations behind certain supernatural elements remain unclear. The final scene, while visually striking, doesn’t carry the emotional weight it could have if the film had done more to build the relationship between Clara, Sam, and Dottie.

Wildcat explores themes of desperation, grief, and isolation within the framework of a thriller set in the Texas oil boom. While Laurie Powers Going delivers a suspenseful short, and the cast, particularly Brenda Hattingh Peatross and Adam Kitchen, bring strong performances, the film leaves too many questions unanswered. I feel audiences seeking a slow-burn thriller may appreciate the tension. I just wanted more backstory and deeper character connections. Still, its worth a watch!

Directed by Matt O’Connor

Warning – This review may contain spoilers.

The Industry takes us on a journey with Isadora, an aspiring actress who is thrust into a world of opportunity, but at a potentially devastating cost. I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the decisions she faces, and it paints a haunting picture of the darker side of the entertainment industry. The story explores how ambition and desperation can push someone toward compromising their morals, and it left me thinking about how far someone might go to achieve their dreams.

Matt O’Connor clearly wanted to show the psychological toll that chasing fame can take, and I think he did a great job bringing that vision to life. His direction really conveys the pressure and intensity of the choices the characters are faced with. The idea that success could come with such a sinister price tag was chilling.

From the opening scenes, I was immediately drawn in by the film’s eerie atmosphere. The cinematography and lighting worked together beautifully, especially in capturing Isadora’s emotional journey. Tatum Ponce Langton’s performance as Isadora was powerful—her portrayal of the character’s inner conflict really resonated with me. The supporting cast also stood out, particularly Kristen Marie Jensen as Angela and Dennis Record as Mr. Whiteside, who both brought extra layers of tension to their scenes.

That said, the sound design didn’t work for me as well as the visuals did. The persistent wind noise felt distracting, and I didn’t think the soundtrack fully captured the emotional energy that the scenes were going for. The writing also could have gone a bit deeper to explore the characters and themes, which left some parts of the story feeling a little incomplete.

The cinematography and lighting were definite highlights, bringing a rich atmosphere to the film. Matt O’Connor’s directing choices really helped enhance the mood with some beautifully composed shots. The editing kept the film moving at a good pace, but the sound design, while effective in some moments, could have been more impactful, especially during the key emotional beats.

The Industry is a bold exploration of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of success. While it doesn’t fully flesh out some of its themes, it raises thought-provoking questions about ambition, morality, and the price of fame. It’s a film that will likely spark conversations, especially for those familiar with the darker side of the entertainment world.

Directed by Tanner Alex Reyburn and Daria Pustovoytova
Warning – this review may contain spoilers

haUnTed – Exploring The Paranormal is a documentary that takes viewers on a journey through Utah’s paranormal scene, featuring interviews with psychics, paranormal investigators, and people who’ve had supernatural experiences. I found the variety of perspectives interesting, especially since they came from such different backgrounds. Hearing stories from those who claim to have encountered the paranormal kept me engaged, but I felt like the film struggled to tie everything together. At times, it jumped from one subject to another too quickly, and I found myself wishing for more focus. The ghost hunt toward the end seemed like it would be the film’s climax, but it felt rushed and didn’t deliver the intensity I was expecting.

The interviews were engaging, with some genuinely spooky moments, but I think the documentary bit off more than it could chew. It tried to explore so many different aspects of the paranormal world, and as a result, it sometimes lost momentum. The lack of cohesion between interviews and the ghost hunt made it harder for me to stay fully immersed. I appreciated the range of experiences shared, and I think paranormal enthusiasts would enjoy the variety of stories. Skeptics, however, might find the lack of solid evidence or a clear narrative a bit frustrating.

From a technical filmmaking perspective I noticed a lot of inconsistency. The interviews were well-lit and composed, which I appreciated, but once the documentary shifted to the ghost hunting segment, things went downhill a bit. The footage became too dark, and some shots were out of focus, which made it hard to follow what was happening. Sound was another issue, with some interviews being crystal clear while others were hard to hear. The music was subtle, which I liked, but it didn’t do much to elevate the tension during the ghost hunt, which felt like a missed opportunity. The editing, especially in the ghost hunting scenes, felt a bit disjointed, and the constant use of fades sometimes took me out of the experience.

I didn’t find myself personally connected to the film, but I did enjoy some of the stories, particularly those that offered a more eerie or mysterious tone. haUnTed – Exploring The Paranormal had potential, but I think it would have benefited from a more focused narrative and a stronger conclusion. If you’re a fan of paranormal stories, you’ll probably find something to enjoy here, but if you’re looking for a truly compelling ghost hunt or solid proof of the supernatural, it might leave you wanting more.