Horror
Axxixa
Directed by Daniel Aaron Torres
Warning – This review may contain spoilers.
Axxixa centers around David (Onias Snuka) who steals from a sacred altar and faces deadly consequences at the hands of a shaman (Daniel Torres Sr). The film sets up a familiar supernatural revenge scenario, and while there are some genuinely eerie moments, especially involving the shaman and the cultist/skinwalker played by Lucia Torres, the overall narrative felt a bit rushed to me. David’s motivations for the theft were unclear, and the supporting characters, including Nicole (Mackenlie Barr) and Lulu (Gabi Cuascut), didn’t get enough development to make me care about their fates. I found the shaman to be the most interesting and compelling character, but the rest of the cast seemed underutilized, which made it difficult to fully engage with the story.
The strongest element of the film was its sound design by Matt Copeland. The score added tension and worked well to enhance the horror tone. However, I was disappointed by the cinematography and the lighting choices. Many of the night scenes were too dark, obscuring important moments and making it hard to follow the action. The lighting could have been much more effective in highlighting key character interactions, particularly in the supernatural moments. As for the cinematography, it felt a bit flat and uninspired. More dynamic camera work or creative angles could have added much-needed energy to the film, particularly in the more intense scenes.
The editing was another area where I felt the film could have been stronger. The transitions between scenes were a bit abrupt, and smoother cuts, like J-cuts or L-cuts, could have helped the pacing. I felt the editing didn’t fully capture the tension that the story was aiming for, which weakened the overall impact. While the sound and score worked well, the issues with lighting and editing kept pulling me out of the film’s atmosphere.
Onias Snuka as David delivered a solid performance, but without more character development, it was hard to connect. Lucia Torres’ portrayal of the cultist/skinwalker was eerie and contributed to the horror vibe, but her role wasn’t fully fleshed out. Daniel Torres Sr. stood out the most as the shaman, adding a sinister presence to the story, but I would have loved to see more interaction between him and the other characters to elevate the tension.
Axxixa had the potential to be a stronger horror short, but it felt underdeveloped in both its story and technical execution. While the film has some effective creepy moments, it would benefit from tighter editing, better lighting, and more dynamic cinematography. Horror fans might appreciate the atmosphere, but I think there’s more potential here that wasn’t fully realized.
Fantasy
The Pearl Comb – The Watchlist
Recently, a short film caught my attention after being selected at several Oscar-qualifying festivals around the country. That film is The Pearl Comb.
In 1893, an endearing Cornish fisherman’s wife captures the attention of the medical profession as the first person to cure someone of tuberculosis. A doctor—determined to prove that a woman’s place is in the home and not in medicine—is sent to investigate her miraculous claim, only to discover the source of her unearthly power.
The film is directed by Ali Cook, who’s no stranger to making compelling shorts. His previous work, The Cunning Man, screened at 88 international festivals and won 33 awards.
Several aspects of The Pearl Comb stood out to me, the first being its production design. I’m a stickler for immersive storytelling, and this film pulled me right into 1893 Cornwall. Everything—from the sound design to the visual details—kept me rooted in the world, never distracted by anything outside the moment.
Speaking of sound design, it was spot-on. It didn’t feel overly polished just for the sake of clarity—it felt natural, lived-in, and perfectly matched the tone of the story.
Ali Cook not only directed but also took on the role of the doctor, delivering a layered performance while crafting a well-thought-out, multi-dimensional story.
Beattie Edney was outstanding in her role. Every moment she was on screen felt authentic and fully in service of the story. She made it look effortless, but having seen many films this season at the Utah International Film Festival, I can say her performance could be a masterclass for many actors.
Clara Paget, the Mermaid, has a natural ability to command the viewer’s attention. Her performance was subtle yet intense, with an impressive range—from meek and humble to ferocious and otherworldly. Her ability to communicate so much with just her eyes was remarkable.
The film also owes much of its success to cinematographer Dave Miller. Dave shaped the lighting and color as if they were another character in the story. Many horror-leaning films hide in shadow, but here, every detail of the set was visible while still maintaining a consistent, moody tone. A standout moment for me was the light in the tank toward the end—an inspired choice that gave the climax a vital splash of color.
This production clearly had an entire team operating at a high level across every department—something you’d expect from a modest-budget feature rather than a short. This wasn’t five friends with a camera; this was a small army, and they all delivered.
Pro tip: don’t leave the theater too soon—you’ll miss a post-credit scene.
Filmmakers often ask me what they can do to improve their short to increase festival success. In this case, I have no notes. The Pearl Comb is fantastic, and I’ll personally be championing it for festivals I’m involved with. It’s that good.
Horror
Hidden
Directed by Matthew P. Camacho
WARNING! This review contains spoilers.
“Hidden” is a short film that captures the terror of isolation, focusing on the idea that fear often strikes hardest when we’re alone. The plot centers around a woman named Jewel, trapped in a closet, seemingly hiding from an unseen presence. The story aims to explore how fear can become overwhelming when there’s no escape and how the mind can play tricks in such situations.
If I were to program this film, I’d place it in a screening block emphasizing its focus on psychological horror and the fear of the unknown. The film opens with impressive visuals—lighting is dynamic, creating a haunting atmosphere that sets the stage for a tense experience. The sound design starts strong, enhancing the unsettling mood with ominous echoes and reverberations that echo Jewel’s growing fear. Despite these strong technical elements, the film struggles to maintain its initial momentum, as the cinematography becomes repetitive, relying on medium-close shots with color shifts that add little to the narrative. Editing also feels unmotivated, with the pacing failing to build the kind of suspense expected from a horror short.
As for the story, Hidden presents a straightforward scenario of fear manifesting in isolation, but it’s hard to grasp the broader narrative or deeper meaning behind Jewel’s plight. While the film does capture the essence of terror in a confined space, it falls short of delivering a satisfying or clear conclusion. I found myself wondering about the nature of the threat, what Jewel was truly hiding from, and whether there was more to her backstory. Audiences looking for a more layered psychological experience may feel underwhelmed by the lack of story progression.
Personally, the film resonated with me on the basic level of fear—no one enjoys feeling trapped or threatened, especially in darkness. It does a good job of encapsulating that raw, uncomfortable emotion. However, without a clearer plot or deeper character development, it’s hard to maintain that connection throughout. Hidden succeeds in capturing the initial fright but struggles to sustain its impact beyond that moment.
Fantasy
Artifex
Directed by Alan Lucchetti
WARNING! This review contains spoilers.
“Artifex” tells the story of a modern-day Renaissance man who embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about his mysterious condition, all while keeping it hidden from those closest to him. As the protagonist dives into this quest, he finds himself at the crossroads of history, myth, and the supernatural. The film sets an intriguing tone, combining elements of drama and thriller with a sense of ever-present darkness.
If I were to program Artifex at a festival, I’d likely place it in a screening block called “Shadowed Realms” or “Dark Echoes,” highlighting its themes of lurking danger and hidden truths. The sound design plays a crucial role in maintaining suspense, keeping viewers engaged with a sense of impending doom. Lucchetti’s eye for detail is evident, with strong visuals that enhance the story’s dark tone. Close-ups effectively draw attention to key dialogue moments, like the intense scene with the old man in the editing room. The lighting, especially in the opening car wash scene and the sound studio, plays with shadows in a captivating way, adding depth to the atmosphere. However, the use of artistic visuals during dialogue feels more distracting than enhancing, breaking the immersion.
In terms of story, Artifex follows two friends whose bond is tested when one steals a mystical necklace that amplifies the wearer’s voice and grants an almost invincible feeling. The two eventually reconcile, but the film’s narrative lacks clarity. Key elements, such as the significance of the necklace or the protagonist’s motivations, remain unclear. I found myself puzzled by what the main character hoped to achieve by breaking into the house, as well as the purpose of the burning man’s presence. The reconciliation between the friends feels oddly casual given the stakes, leaving me unsure of the protagonist’s emotional journey.
On a personal level, Artifex didn’t resonate deeply with me, mainly due to its confusing plot and lack of narrative momentum. While the film offers some stunning visuals and a haunting atmosphere, the story’s repetitions and minimal conflict kept it from fully engaging me. Despite these issues, the film might appeal to viewers who enjoy visually driven, mood-centric stories. Overall, Artifex presents an ambitious blend of thriller and supernatural drama, but it struggles to deliver a coherent story that matches its atmospheric style.
