Tag Archives: Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2023

Brooklyn Horror Film Festival short films: ‘MOSQUITO LADY’ & ‘ALICIA’

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MOSQUITO LADY

Phillipino folklore Manananggal meets Catholic guilt in Kristine Gerolaga‘s short film, MOSQUITO LADY. When a young woman can no longer hide her pregnancy from her devout parents, she resorts to a legendary monster to assist her. The practical and Special FX are exquisitely gag-worthy. What a frightening jab at religious righteousness and an exploration of culture.


ALICIA

A little girl who lost her sight tries to convince her mother that an old woman haunts her. ALICIA is a standout short in story, production, and performance. The score is a perfect combination of high-intensity strings. The film hinges on the spectacular young lead, Naia Las Heras, as the titular character. There’s nothing more unsettling than experiencing the genuine fear of a child. Director Tony Morales and writer Cekis Casanova give us enough information to grow an entire franchise. I could see studios from Blumhouse to IFC Midnight snapping this up for development.

BHFF 2023

Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2023 shorts: ‘RIDE BABY RIDE’ & ‘THE WYRM OF BWICH PEN BARRAS’

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RIDE BABY RIDE

Feminist companion for CARRIE lovers, Sofie Somoroff‘s short RIDE BABY RIDE finds a female mechanic in the new ownership of a possessed car. As the vehicle attempts to incapacitate and sexually assault her, she must fight for her life. Celina Bernstein effortlessly commands the viewer with what may amount to all five lines of dialogue. She acts her ass off. She is “final girl” magic. This metaphor for toxic masculinity and misogyny is as cathartic as it is bloody.

The Wyrm of Bwlch Pen Barras


Craig Williams slowly unravels the tale of the return of something mysterious. The townsfolk seem surprised at its appearance so soon after the last. They speak in vagaries, but it is made clear. Whatever it is cannot be good. The men gather to protect the land by offering a sacrifice.

A string-heavy, throwback slasher score plays over long, meandering, and scenic takes. The genius of this short lies within what we don’t see. Our imagination is our worst enemy.

BHFF 2023

Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2023 shorts: ‘THE QUEUE’ & ‘MY SCARY INDIAN WEDDING’

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The Queue

Cole is a new online content monitor for the FBI. Upon discovering the final message of his predecessor, he finds a new meaning of “images seared into your brain.” Michael Rich‘s THE QUEUE is the physical manifestation of PTSD from vile online videos.

This superb film thrives on audio and the performance of Burt Bulos. There is a solid Mike Flannigan vibe to this film. When you see it, you’ll understand why I say that. It’s a solid addition to this year’s Nightmare Fuel Program.

My Scary Indian Wedding


Ramone Menon’s short plays on folklore and cultural superstition. Asha discovers she exists under the thumb of an ancient spirit, and only by performing six specific rituals can she survive the night.

In old-school horror, what would have been discovered in some ancient text (as in a book) now appears as a threatening, albeit informative, app. This campy little film echos 80s slashers with a modern twist.

BHFF 2023

Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2023 shorts: ‘STOP DEAD’ & ‘LEECH’

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STOP DEAD

Director Emily Greenwood brings the short STOP DEAD to the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2023. Two officers get a flat tire as a blood-soaked young woman happens upon them. Clearly in distress, a taser leads to her immediate demise, or so they think.

The special FX reminds me of one of my favorite kills from the 1997 sci-fi classic CUBE. The editing creates jump scare after jump scare. Eight minutes got my horror juices flowing and left me wanting an entire feature. Greenwood and writer David Scullion show us just enough of an evil entity to keep us salivating for more. Even as the credits roll, you’re seeped in dread.

LEECH


Mary, an elderly blind woman, cycles through caregivers and doesn’t know why. She thinks she’s alone in her home. She is not.

Weirdly off-putting closeups immediately place the viewer on edge. Disturbing crayon drawings make you recoil. LEECH deserves a feature. It’s undeniably disturbing and shudder-inducing, yet you cannot look away. I have so many questions, and I’m begging filmmaker George Coley for answers.

BHFF 2023