(This is Who? short film review, which is a horror short film released on Vimeo)
Being alone is the scariest thing ever, especially when you are not really the only being there. WHO? has chosen that same primal fear and wants to give us something its own take on it.
It is directed by Mohammed Omar and features actor Umar Almutairi. Now, let us see what they have created and judge with our own eyes in the WHO? short film review below!
Premise
When a man is sitting alone in somewhere abandoned, little did he expect that he will have companies. But who are they?
WHO? Short Film Review
Premise
The premise is short and sweet, and basically only covers the part where the character meets the unknown being that has been lurking nearby. It spends most of its time building the atmosphere and playing with our primal fear of the unknown.
I have seen many similar films, but this is one of the better executed short films
Premise is not the star of this film, and never is. We do not know who the character is, or who the unknown being is. Though there are perhaps some subtle clues, like how he has a gun and is alone outside, either standing guard or camping.
Thus, this film mainly focuses on the mystery and horror factors rather than storytelling. It’s not bad and many films have done this, so the only bad thing is the premise isn’t original. For I have seen many similar films, but this is one of the better executed short films.
Pacing/Visual
Pacing is excellent, where the atmosphere building is consistent and intensified until the end. The unknown being appears early in the beginning too, which I like as I know of some films that will take too long in atmosphere building that it becomes draggy.
Visually, the film seems to have a high production value, and looks Hollywood enough. The lighting and camera angles used are perfect for the film genre and they did a marvellous job to intensify the scenes.
Character
The only character inside is unknown to us. But he also represents us if we are in similar situation. The primal fear we have with the unknown is pretty universal, and this character is the embodiment of it.
I must commend the actor for his performance
His acting is brilliant, and we can see fear from his expression and body languages. I must commend the actor for his performance, which helps to bring out the horror factor in this film.
As for the unknown being, it is done in a pretty cliché way, but at least it works. Nothing much to add here as I don’t see any new way of redoing this cliché part.
Soundtrack
Soundtrack is quite impactful and really helps with the atmosphere and mood. Though it’s also another cliché horror track. But I must say the sound foley helps too with every single scene, where the sounds indeed make this a pretty high production shoot. Overall, it’s pretty well done here.
