Tension, Banter, and a Moral Crossroads

Read Time:5 Minute, 3 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Sentry
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Genre: Action, Comedy, Short
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 17m
Director(s): Jake Wachtel
Writer(s): Jake Wachtel
Cast: Daniel Raymont, Dara Phang, Tharoth Sam
Where to Watch: shown at the 2025 SXSW London Film Festival, Raindance Film Festival, and Palm Springs International ShortFest

RAVING REVIEW: Something is refreshing about a short film that doesn’t waste a second establishing where you are and who you’re watching, but still finds the time to surprise you. What begins as a seemingly familiar spy setup takes an unexpected and grounded detour. Set against the backdrop of Cambodia, this story doesn’t use its location as embellishment. Instead, the setting shapes the story’s entire undercurrent. And as soon as the camera starts sweeping through landscapes with a nostalgic grain, it’s clear this isn’t just another international mission with a silent protagonist and a disposable adversary.

The premise seems simple: an agent is sent in, a target is neutralized, and the job appears done. But what unfolds is a strange and surprisingly tender conversation between the living and the “dead.” That tension, oddly comedic at times, becomes the heart of the short. Rather than focus on action mechanics, the narrative leans into introspection, reframing its central mission as something far less tidy. Through the lens of regret, memory, and unexpected humor, this story morphs into an unusually sincere confrontation between two men—one silenced too soon, the other forced to listen after it’s too late.

The character study turns expectations upside down without drawing attention to its subversion. The agent, initially an archetype of confidence, starts to unravel as the guard, who, at first, seems like comic relief, slowly reveals a life full of complexity. These layers don’t come through exposition dumps or flashbacks. They emerge through dialogue that walks a fine line between irritation and vulnerability. The moment you think you’ve nailed down a character, the dynamic shifts again.

The cinematography plays a big role in those transitions. Initial scenes focus on tight angles and choreographed movement, eventually giving way to more relaxed compositions as the emotional barrier between the two men breaks down. The visual language mirrors the character arcs: sharp and focused early on, looser and more fluid. Even the lighting evolves subtly, becoming softer and warmer as the tension melts.

There’s a confidence in how the film uses sound. Rather than over-scoring or over-explaining, it leans into ambient noise—the buzz of the environment, footsteps echoing, the rhythmic hum of silence—to create unease or levity as needed. It’s a small detail, but it makes the atmosphere feel tangible, especially during quieter moments when character emotions are given space to land.

While effective, the ending could benefit from more breathing room. The emotion is there, but the film wraps up rather quickly. A few seconds of silence or a simple cutaway to something grounded would extend the resonance of the final beat. The restraint is appreciated, but more space would allow that moment to sit longer with the audience.

Performance-wise, there’s an impressive balance between charisma and restraint. The agent doesn’t deliver his arc in broad strokes; his internal shift is readable in body language, pauses, and subtle changes in tone. The guard, meanwhile, evolves from comic foil to emotional center without the transition feeling forced. His delivery keeps the character grounded, even when the premise is absurd. Their chemistry sells the premise—without that push and pull, the entire structure would fall flat.

Technically, everything holds together with intention. Editing choices support the pacing without calling attention to themselves. The production design, though minimal, feels authentic to the environment. And crucially, the story doesn’t rely on twists or shocks. Its strength lies in the fact that it doesn’t need a grand finale—it just requires you to care.

The most exciting part is imagining where this could go next. There’s potential here for a feature expansion that could dig deeper into the aftermath of this unexpected encounter. How does the agent move forward after being haunted—literally or metaphorically—by his choices? What ripple effects does that single event have on the surrounding world? The foundation is strong enough to support a longer exploration, and there’s emotional ground left unexplored.

What ultimately makes this short work is its willingness to shift gears. It’s not trying to prove anything, but it still manages to question what stories we choose to tell—and who we ignore in the process. It doesn’t scream its message; it just lets it build, scene by scene, until you realize you’ve been pulled somewhere more meaningful than expected. In a format often restricted by time, it finds space for connection.

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