Indie
[Short Film Review] ‘Night of the Slasher’ is a Bloody Good Time
Slasher films are usually extremely straightforward. Guy meets girl, guy attempts to murder said girl, and girl usually survives after facing off with her assailant, who’s left a bloody trail of bodies behind him. With a simple plot like this, many bargain bin slasher flicks end up having tons of filler scenes in between the necessary slashing, just to hit a feature film runtime. Shant Hamassian, however, does the opposite with his short film Night of the Slasher, an extremely condensed but coherent horror movie that doesn’t miss a beat.
The short begins by introducing us to Lily Berlina as Jenelle, a scarred young woman nonsensically dancing in her underwear, waiting for her date, played by Scott Javore. As the night goes on, she slowly checks off her Horror Movie Sins list, until the eponymous slasher (Adam Lesar) shows up at her house, wearing what I can only assume is a deformed Leonard Nimoy mask. A horrific battle for survival ensues, as Jenelle must confront the familiar killer one more time.
Hamassian is obviously a fan of the genre, and though the film excessively pokes fun at old clichés, it’s done with a certain respect. Of course, making fun of slasher movies isn’t a new idea, so the film does lack in the originality department. In any case, the execution makes up for any lack of depth, not to mention the amazingly-directed action sequences as Jenelle faces the murdering maniac, which are the highlight of the film.
Berlina does a great job at portraying both innocence and cunning in her role as Night of the Slasher’s final girl, and though she works well with Javore, her interaction with Adam Lesar’s faceless and voiceless killer completely steals the show. It feels like she’d be at home in an actual 80s horror movie, and it’s clear that this is what the director is going for with the corny yet thrilling atmosphere that horror buffs know and love.
Night of the Slasher isn’t quite groundbreaking cinema, but the brief yet charming characters and story make up for any of the minor faults present in the film. The ending is also unique in its use of dark humor and subversion of expectations, though it doesn’t explain much of the movie’s bizarre events. With this film, Shant has concocted a ten minute love-letter to slasher films, complete with cheesy 80s music over the end credits. Although not everyone might appreciate the effort, I recommend this movie to any fan of the slashers of yore.
Her House of Horrors, the horror division of Independent Production House WOMXNOGRAPHY, has launched its Bite Size Short Grant Program, ahead of its film festival Dollhouse of Horror, which will take place in March 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Bite Size Short Grant Program awards $2,000 film grants to female-identifying and queer horror filmmakers. Shorts must be able to be made for $2,000, with a minimum runtime of 8 minutes. Submissions are now open on Filmfreeway, and are being judged by a panel of horror lovers and content creators.
The 2024 Bite Size Short Grant Program judge lineup is as follows:
“James H. Carter II- A documentary director, film producer, podcaster, marketing specialist, and writer. James is the founder and co-owner of Creepy Kingdom. Creepy Kingdom was founded in 2011 and is a multimedia website, and production studio specializing in creepy content. Their primary focus lies at the intersection of childlike fantasy and the macabre, covering horror films, theme parks, haunts, and much more. Beyond their extensive media coverage, Creepy Kingdom hosts events, offers original merchandise, and engages in film production under the Creepy Kingdom Studios brand producing original films like “Foolish Mortals”, exploring Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” fan culture, and “Georgie”, featuring Tony Dakota from the original “It” miniseries.
“In addition to founding Creepy Kingdom, James has won awards for his documentary work, including the award-winning “Foolish Mortals,” which has earned him recognition. He has been featured on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween special.
“Ashleeta Beauchamp is the editor-in-chief of Peek-A-Boo! Magazine, a cheeky horror magazine created to uplift marginalized writers, artists, models and other creators within the horror community. She also runs The Halloween Coalition, a community group to provide support and marketing for horror and Halloween events around the Southern California area.
“Titeanya Rodríguez is a multi-hyphenate creative, and the founder and owner of HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, home of DOLLHOUSE OF HORROR and the horror division of WOMXNOGRAPHY. As a fellow storyteller and a self-proclaimed artivist, Titeanya’s mission is to create opportunities for women of color and queer women, across film, tv, sports, music, and beyond. She is also the creator of the BITE SIZE SHORT grant program.”
Winners will have a one-night theatrical screening at Regal Cinemas. Submissions Close April 8 at Midnight. Winners will be announced on May 27, 2024. Shorts must be shot and through post-production by June 30, 2024. The screening will take place on July 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.
WOMXNOGRAPHY, HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, and Rodriguez are represented by Azhar PR, Granderson Des Rochers, and Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir.
To submit your short to the Bite Size Short Grant Program, go to the FilmFreeway link here.
4 New Horror Movies Releasing This Week Including ‘Late Night with the Devil’ at Home
Spring 2024 Horror Preview: 12 Horror Movies You Don’t Want to Miss
The ‘Scary Movie’ Spoof Franchise Is Getting a Reboot at Paramount!
‘Ready or Not’: Radio Silence Filmmakers Tease the “Absolute Banger” of a Sequel That’s Taking Shape
“We Built Every Creature” – ‘Alien: Romulus’ Goes Heavy on the Old School Practical Effects!
