Unless something else just sneaks under the wire over the next couple of weeks, it seems this could be my final Horror in Short feature for the current site. Huh. It feels like only yesterday that I decided it was high time we spent more time championing these often brilliant, inventive and grossly-underrated cinematic projects; and now here we are, years down the line, many films covered, and as usual, I was right. Happier still, today’s likely last short film – Remnants – is a stylish, well-paced offering which is clearly aware of its horror heritage, but has something pleasantly smart and knowing to say in a mere fifteen minutes. Take a look for yourselves, folks, before you read the review which follows…
Why do I think this works so well as a short film? Well, I was impressed by how director David Ugarte gives us an immediate sense of character via actors Terrance Roundtree and Hugh McCrau Jr; it’s achieved with a light touch, primarily thanks to natural dialogue (something lost on so many filmmakers). The early conversation between these two homicide detectives, who are en route to a crime scene, allows you to feel that these really are two men who know each other well, and also establishes that Ugarte feels confident enough to drop some humour into the mix in places too, both in what’s said and what’s shown (the final shot of the ‘demon’ against a backdrop of Instagram-worthy lines about love and happiness hanging on the wall definitely made me smile).
There’s also some nice technical prowess here. I liked the use of practical make-up FX, something which I know is a deal-maker-or-breaker for many genre fans but hey – it showcases a set of skills we might not get to enjoy otherwise, and it does make a difference to how a project comes across. Here, the film manages to switch between its initial realism and then scenes which deftly build dread and suspense – lots of the initial investigative work could make the audience feel as involved as our protagonists as we peer under furniture via the camera, just like they do. And then, maintaining a pace which works very well, extra tension builds as possible otherworldly influences steadily creep into the narrative – which they do without feeling tacked on…
On occasion, a short film feels like a mini-version of the feature which the director hoped to make, or would like to make in future. Whilst I do think that the characters and the narrative could sustain a longer film, I didn’t feel here that Remnants was just intended to be a calling card. It works in its own right. If it is to be seen as a calling card however, then I hope that’s because it does such a good job of balancing pace and development very well against the fifteen minute format. It looks superb and stylish, well-lit and well-shot, and the sound design is excellent too. Oh, and perhaps I’m biased, but I liked the subtle little nod to ‘Brits’ and their historical affection for maiming and killing (via the anecdote about a night at Medieval Times!) Remnants is a lot of fun, showing skill and a love for the genre too.