The horror genre has really made a big comeback over the last decade, thanks to the rise of elevated horror films from studios like A24. A lot of these horror films get even scarier the longer you think about them, too. When it comes to box office hits over the last few years, many of them have been horror films. And it makes sense. They’re cheap to make, and audiences will forever be in search of the next scare.
While the horror genre is still putting out great films, probably more than ever, I have found that some of the most creative pieces have come from short horror films. Many of the best ones I’ve seen have eventually become feature-length films themselves, but there’s something endearing about watching a lower-budget short that has to navigate limited resources and still deliver the proper scares.
The Chair
You’ll never be more horrified by a piece of furniture
We’re starting out with a wild one here in The Chair, a psychological horror short focused on a chair that may or may not be haunted. It’s fragmented and strange, and there’s little in the way of closure throughout its 20-minute runtime, but the atmosphere and level of talent that went into it is undeniable. The Chair follows main character Reese (Anthony Pavone) after he brings home a chair.
What follows is a series of strange events involving upside-down roses and creepy figures of unknown origin. Is it all a metaphor for something else? Many fans think it’s about Alzheimer’s and its effects on memory. Or is it more of a straight-forward haunted chair story? Again, there’s an argument to be made there too. The Chair provides no easy answers, however, but it’s brilliant nonetheless.
Portrait of God
Look closely and see God
This disturbing little short builds more tension in seven minutes than a lot of horror films do in two hours. Portrait of God is all about atmosphere and creepy imagery, and it works wonderfully. When Mia (Sydney Brumfield) is finishing up a presentation on a painting called The Portrait of God, which appears as different aspects of God to different people, she begins to see a terrifying creature within.
Is it God? Well, it certainly looks more like a demon to me, but I’m not one to judge. The answer doesn’t really matter here. The tingling sensation of terror I had creeping down my spine told me enough. Portrait of God is a well-crafted short and a prime example of something that could really only work as a short film. Director Dylan Clark has a lot of talent and is a name to look out for.
Man on a Train
Let me off at the next stop, please
As someone who lives with an astronomical amount of social anxiety, Man on a Train solidified my desire to swear off public transportation altogether. Centered around a woman called Esme (Tameka Mortimer), who finds herself on a train at night, this is a short that has very little in the way of actual dialogue. Esme does not speak once, but the tension is unbearable.
As Esme listens to the other passengers talk, she suddenly finds herself alone on the train, save for the eponymous man (Atilla Akinci), who begins to move inhumanely toward her. It’s such a simple premise, but director Jack Shanks milks every single moment of suspense out of the four-minute runtime. There’s no jump scares or blood or tricks, it’s all just pure, pulse-pounding terror. It’s like a suspense movie that will haunt you long after you watch it, and I mean that in the best way.
Lights Out
There’s a reason this was made into a movie
You may have gone and saw the feature-length version of Lights Out when it released back in 2016, but the short film of the same name is what started it all. Again, it’s a simple concept here. A woman sees a monstrous ghostly figure every time she turns the lights off, so she tries to keep the lights on. Two minutes of absolute terror later, and you’re left breathless.
This short was a proof of concept for director David F. Sandberg, who went on to direct the feature-length version as well as both Shazam movies. And while I did enjoy the feature-length version of Lights Out quite a bit, I think the short film stands just a bit taller here. Its conciseness is a strength, and I find myself revisiting it every couple of years for the sheer amount of artistry involved.
Other Side of the Box
Don’t look away
Other Side of the Box is like if Doctor Who‘s Weeping Angels and the creature from It Follows created a terrifying offspring to go around tormenting people. Only this time, it’s a naked wet guy in a box, and he drags you into the void and makes you one of his shadow people if you look away. It’s a strange little film, but terrifying. It’s also extremely well-made, with top-notch effects work and some surprisingly great acting from Nick Tag, Teagan Rose, and Josh Schnell.
Out of all the films on this list (Lights Out excluded), Other Side of the Box is the one I could easily see being made into a feature-length film. There’s actually quite a few details left unexplained, which would normally be fine for me. However, a lot of these moments are rooted in character backstory, and I would have liked a little more. Still, Other Side of the Box is a great way to spend 15 minutes of time.
Short horror films are a great medium for unique creative expression
Whereas Hollywood horror films have certain tropes and standards they are expected to hit, independently made horror shorts are only limited by budget and creative expression. These five films exist as a testament of what can happen when you have extremely talented people making what they love, and scaring the heck out of people in the process.
But if you’re looking for some other types of scares, these foreign horror films are scarier than anything you’re likely to find being made in Hollywood.
