A Glimpse Into Darkness
Read Time:3 Minute, 40 Second
MOVIE REVIEW
Devotee
– 
Genre: Horror, Short
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 7m
Director(s): Richard J. Bosner
Writer(s): Richard J. Bosner
Cast: Grant Feely, MacKenzie Firgens, Ben Bladon
Where To Watch: shown at the 2024 Hollyshorts Film Festival
RAVING REVIEW: In the wee hours of the night, Ray (Grant Feely), a young boy, encounters a dark secret about his mother, Loraine (Mackenzie Firgens), sparking a story brimming with eerie undertones and potential thrills. This short journey, though brisk and engaging in its setup, struggles from its brief runtime of just seven minutes, leaving us yearning for a more fleshed-out exploration of its intriguing premise.
Despite the constrained duration, the film casts a significant shadow, building an atmospheric tension that's visually and audibly arresting. The depth within each frame and nuanced lighting craft a backdrop that amplifies the sense of foreboding, while the sound design further traps us into the unfolding psychological drama. The young lead shines in this brief cinematic work, delivering a performance that walks the line between innocence and dread from the unknown, forming the backbone of the film's emotional narrative.
This film draws noticeable inspiration from classic psychological thrillers, employing a narrative style reminiscent of genre-defining films from the mid-20th century. These influences are evident in the deliberate pacing and the reliance on psychological rather than overt horror, which adds a layer of sophistication to its storytelling approach.
The rapid pace at which the story unfolds does little justice to the potential depth it could explore, especially in the pivotal relationship between the boy and his mother. This central dynamic, crucial to the narrative’s impact, is only touched upon, making the climactic twist somewhat unearned and superficial. As a proof of concept, the film delivers what could be a stellar opening scene to a great horror film.
Richard J. Bosner, who has focused primarily on short films and helped produce several well-known movies, is the creative mind steering this project. Bosner's adeptness at handling the film's technical aspects shines, though the short format holds back his ability to fully unravel the thematic layers he introduces.
This film is both a testament to Bosner’s directorial capabilities and a teaser of what could have been or potentially could have been a more detailed horror journey. The glimpse of what might have been suggests a more significant opportunity for a richer, more gripping narrative.
A longer runtime would have provided the necessary canvas to delve deeper into the mother's obscure fixation and her relationship with her son, enriching the film's emotional and thematic resonance. Such an expansion could allow this brief horror encounter to evolve into a robust exploration of familial dynamics and hidden secrets. It will be interesting to see the reaction to this short and what doors it may open.
In sum, while the film captures our imagination and hints at a compelling plot, it ultimately leaves us desiring more—a deeper, more comprehensive engagement with its characters and themes. The limitations of its brief runtime curb the impact of what could have been a standout addition to the horror genre. With further development and a more generous timeframe, Bosner’s vision could blossom into a profoundly affecting and memorable cinematic experience.
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[photo courtesy of BLUE CREEK PICTURES]
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Bosner is a brilliant Director!
I’ve never seen any of his other stuff, this really blew me away, I want more!
This is going to be an amazing and profitable feature length film!!!!