Home Invasion 2 Shorts Block [Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2023]

It’s the number two block for the “Home Invasion” shorts list and it’s a stellar list of great short films by up and coming directors and artists. With the “Brooklyn Horror Film Festival” coming to an end, I happily viewed their third big short film program which centers on some form of personal invasion.

Boyhoarder (2022)
Director Gabrielle Carrubba’s “Boyhoarder” is a film I could easily picture as a feature length alt rock horror film about celebrity culture and idols. Carrubba delivers a gritty, grimy, and violent film about a vicious punk rock singer named Alex who performs with her all male back up band every night. Much to her horror she realizes she and the band are being stalked by a rabid fan named Ammonia who, obsessed with Alex’s singing, begins to decapitate men she lures in to her trap. “Boyhoarder” is beautifully directed, gory, and builds a cadre of vile characters, all of whom are very well realized thanks to the great collective performances. I also loved the original rock music that compliments the film’s overall chaotic tone. 

Leaving Yellowstone (2023)
Executive Produced by Spike Lee, Writer/Director Kayla Arand’s horror thriller is a wonderful short film that I would kill to see adapted as a feature. “Leaving Yellowstone” is such a measured and well paced thriller that I was hanging on every single moment wondering where it was going next. Tessa and Mark go up to his uncle’s hunting cabin for a romantic getaway and some nature watching. In the midst of their vacation, Tessa makes a horrifying discovery that spirals in to a nightmare. “Leaving Yellowstone” is a great short film, packed with excellent foreshadowing and symbolism as well as absolutely top tier performances by Angela Wong Carbone and Sean Ricciardi, respectively. I highly recommend it.

Red Gloves (2023)
Santiago Saba Salem’s “Red Gloves” is an excellent bit of mini-giallo for fans of the sub-genre. This particular one is set in the 1980’s where a dance troupe is preparing for a rigorous routine. The head dancer Scarlet stays after class one night to practice, and she realizes she’s being stalked by a mysterious individual donning red gloves and garnering a razor blade. Saba Salem’s film is beautifully directed and channels all the elements of the sub-genre that make it such a stark and violent murder mystery. The ending is a brilliant capper that will definitely leave you with your jaw agape in amazement. This is expertly crafted from beginning to end, and I dug it.

Smothered (2023)
Director Heather Luscombe’s film is not so much a horror film as it is a movie about addiction and the risk you run of succumbing to passion during sex. Slim and Dani are a broken up couple whose argument over possessions transforms in to a sexual rendezvous. Despite Dani’s reluctance, the pair engages in one last romp. This spirals out of control leading in to an unfortunate accident. Despite some very good writing and acting, “Smothered” isn’t a tad bit scary or suspenseful, even though it does involve a horrendous fate in the throes of passion. I appreciated the interesting turn of events and crazy twist on a common male fantasy.

The Third Ear (2023)
Director Nathan Ginter’s short is a bit of body horror but also an interesting statement about how we can perceive ourselves. Often times the perception of others can become our own perception, and it can spiral out of control. For the main character Sammy, his quest for some attention leads him down a path where he accidentally grows an extra ear. This ear becomes a source of pure madness for him, but one that also is a metaphor for more deep seated insecurities and fear of being exposed. It works as pure body horror but so much more as a commentary on body dysmorphia.

Variations on a Theme (2023)
Peter Collins Campbell’s short is a relationship drama mixed with a horror film and it’s pretty good overall. It’s a neat concept that also seems to be a catalyst for introspection for these two people as they begin splitting in to various clones around their house. The clones are somewhat representative of different stages of their relationship, but when one clone claims to be the original model, things go a bit haywire. Along with the good performances, the editing and direction are just great from beginning to end. I look forward to seeing how director Peter Collins Campbell transforms this in to a feature.

Versace Softboi (2023)
You never quite know who you’re dating when you hook up with someone on the internet and sometimes things can become sinister. Sadly for women in this world it is almost always a risk. Written and directed by Charlie Gillette (with co-director Sarah Metcalf), she stars as Alex a young girl whose slumber party with her friends takes a weird turn when she realizes her tinder date is sitting outside of her apartment. Despite her reluctance, she decides to confront him, and it amounts to some uncomfortable tension. For a woman this is every bit a horror tale, and cautionary story down to the minute detail and we’re left on a very ambiguous note that is just downright unsettling.  Gillette is great as Alex, while the supporting cast is just top notch. I hope we get to see more from Gillette very soon.

The 2023 Brooklyn Horror Film Festival runs from October 12th through October 19th at the Nitehawk Cinema Screens #1 and #2.