Director Phil Giordano's suspense drama "The Empty Playground" is made almost too well to the point where it was slightly difficult to watch. And that's the intent in the end; Giordano teamed with skilled cinematographer Adam McDaid comprise something of a gripping and compelling little socially conscious short film about a man named Jack whose own urges and delusions could possibly lead him to striking another innocent in the heat of his lust and urges and, like life, could only be kept restrained by observers who stand up to do something about him. "The Empty Playground" is in some ways a vivid dream and others a living nightmare as Jack enters in to an empty playground to see the sweet and angelic Amanda playing alone in a jungle gym. Donning a school girl outfit and something of a trusting demeanor, Jack confronts the lone girl and engages in a vague and somewhat demented discourse that causes her to run from him and fall to the ground.

"The Empty Playground" is thankfully a socially conscious little film that brings to attention the all to realistic dangers of children in this society while not fully clubbing it over our heads and turning this in to something of a glorified Public Service Announcement. "The Empty Playground" is a suspense thriller with a moral first and meant to incite knowledge in its audience second. Marty Lodge's performance is often uneasy and uncomfortable as he presents this character with a smooth demeanor and steady resolve when confronted with the opportunity to prey on this girl, while Skyla Schreter is memorable as the young girl who becomes the object of intent on Jack adding a sheer cringe inducing element with her vulnerable performance. The twist in the climax is a perfect topper to what is an all too real thriller and Giordano impresses immensely.

Phil Giordano provides something of a stellar and quite uneasy little suspense drama short that acts as a word of warning while also putting on display the wolves that lurk in our street corners dressed in the skins of nice men and women. "The Empty Playground" is a memorable little gem worth catching.