Why do we get scared? What is it that causes us to feel real fear? I like to believe that when we're truly afraid, it's because deep down we feel insecure, unsure and uninformed. This kind of fear resulting from uncertainty can apply to any situation, but it's especially true when it comes to horror films. I feel that more often than not, short horror films are more effective in scaring audiences because they are, just that - short. They don't have the liberty of taking 90+ minutes to build an elaborate plot, develop unnecessary story arcs and prepare for 'the big scare' or monster reveal.
Because of these time constraints, viewers don't have the time to make all the connections, figure everything out and put themselves in that "safe place" where they have all the answers. When the viewer doesn't have hours at their disposable to dissect what's going on, the scare starts immediately, and it's that ever-present ambiguity and constant state of not knowing that keeps you on the edge of our seats. When that kind of emotion is sustained for only a short period of time, it's more unsettling than if someone has loads of time to unravel a mystery and come to terms with the on-screen threat. For me, this is what real terror is created, and below are five short films from around the web that I think get it absolutely right.
Warning: These films contain graphic content.
Lights Out by David F. Sandberg
La Carne Cruda (Raw Meat) by Samuel Lema
The Lullaby by Kerby Films
Which short film from this list was your favorite, and why? What other short films (from any genre) have you enjoyed lately?