Smart, Stylish, and Completely Unhinged

Read Time:4 Minute, 12 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Bill
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Genre: Horror, Short
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 11m
Director(s): Emily Dhue
Writer(s): Deana Taheri
Cast: Deana Taheri, Yianni Sines, Zac Branciforte
Where To Watch: TBA

RAVING REVIEW: It’s a bold, absurd, and darkly hilarious take on revenge, power, and control that refuses to play it safe. Directed by Emily Dhue and written by its lead, Deana Taheri, this short transforms a simple premise into something far more unpredictable and strangely captivating. What could have been a straightforward revenge story morphs into a surreal, almost theatrical unraveling of one woman’s psyche, blending satire with unsettling humor.

The setup is deceptively simple: a woman, trapped in a marriage defined by relentless belittlement, finally reaches her breaking point. Her husband is the kind of person who treats his wife like an afterthought, reducing every conversation to a series of condescending remarks. His misogyny isn’t just grating—it’s the foundation of their relationship. When he crosses the line one too many times, she doesn’t just walk away; she takes matters into her own hands in the most literal sense. But the real twist comes after. She flips the script and quite literally becomes the puppet master.

Rather than leaning into just outright horror or excessive gore, the film opts for something far more interesting. There’s a deliberate stylization, from its color palette to its production design, making the entire movie feel heightened. Cinematographer Samuel Perry Falvey frames the action almost like a stage play—deliberate, precise, and somewhat surreal. The costuming, lighting, and aesthetic choices create a world that feels outside reality, perfectly reflecting the protagonist’s mental state. It’s a world where nothing feels “right;” her actions don’t seem out of place.

Taheri's performance is at the center of it all, which carries the film’s offbeat energy with precision and control. She conveys everything through her expressions, movements, and presence. It’s not just about comedy—it’s about building a character who is both relatable and completely unhinged at the same time. Watching her shift from frustration to elation as she takes control of the situation is hilarious and slightly unnerving, a testament to how well she embodies the role.

Opposite her, Yianni Sines delivers a performance that is just as effective, though in a completely different way. His brief moments of dialogue ensure that his character is as unlikable as possible, eliminating any chance for sympathy. The film’s physical comedy relies on his ability to remain completely inert while being manipulated like a macabre marionette, and he does so flawlessly.

The humor is sharp and intentional, never relying on easy laughs. One of its best moments comes during a dinner sequence, where a server, completely oblivious to the situation’s absurdity, instinctively hands the check to the lifeless husband. It’s a simple but brilliantly executed gag that speaks to the film’s larger themes. Even in death, even as nothing more than a prop, he’s still assumed to be in control.

At just over nine minutes, the film accomplishes more than many features. Dhue’s direction is precise, maintaining a careful balance between horror and comedy without ever veering too far in one direction. This kind of short stays with you—not just because of its bizarre premise, but because of how confidently it executes it.

This film proves that storytelling doesn’t need length to leave an impact. It thrives on sharp writing, precise direction, and performances that elevate every moment. Whether viewed as a dark satire on gender dynamics or simply as an absurd horror-comedy, it refuses to be forgettable. If this is what Dhue and Taheri are capable of, their future projects will be just as bold and unpredictable.

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[photo courtesy of FORMOSA GROUP, GHOST VFX, PICTURE SHOP, SPACE FISH PRODUCTIONS]

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