When Auditions Turn Into a Fight for Survival

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MOVIE REVIEW
A Certain Method
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Genre: Horror, Dark Comedy, Queer, Drama
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 13m
Director(s): Veronica Felicity Johnson
Writer(s): Veronica Felicity Johnson
Cast: Brittany Belt, Bryan Coffee, Spencer Stevenson, Kamy D. Bruder
Where to Watch: Available now. Stream here: www.klipist.com

RAVING REVIEW: There’s something uniquely thrilling about watching a film embrace its weirdness with a full heart—and then use it to say something real. A CERTAIN METHOD is a story that sneaks up on you with a wild premise and turns it into a biting reflection on creative survival instead of playing it for cheap thrills. This sort of horror-comedy hybrid has more to say than you'd expect—and says it with just enough madness to leave a lasting mark.

At the core of A CERTAIN METHOD is a deliciously strange hook: a struggling actor, Tate (Brittany Belt), walks into what should be a standard audition, only to find herself face-to-face with something that looks like it crawled out of your nightmares. The setup might sound like a joke, but the punchline hits hard, making the whole experience land. Director Veronica Felicity Johnson uses the absurdity as a delivery system for some sharp commentary about acting, gatekeepers, and what people are willing to endure to chase their dreams.

Johnson constructs this story as horror and a metaphor based on her background in method acting. The monster Tate faces isn’t just a threat in the narrative sense—it becomes a stand-in for everything that wears an artist down. Insecurity, judgment, exploitation, and exhaustion are all wrapped into one package that commands her to perform or perish. It’s a casting call with claws, a job interview with real blood on the line. That’s the real horror here—not just the creature but what it represents.

Belt is the driving force behind this performance-heavy concept, and she delivers. Her portrayal of Tate Fama doesn’t hinge on theatricality but on how convincingly she can shift from uncertainty to survival instinct. There’s a real arc to her emotional state—something that’s easy to overlook in short films—and she confidently rides that arc. Belt gives us a character who’s desperate but not weak, scared but not paralyzed. She brings that mix of exhaustion and grit that fits the story’s twist while still keeping it grounded.

It helps, too, that Johnson knows how to frame her lead. The visual language of A CERTAIN METHOD speaks the same tense language as its narrative. The casting room feels sterile and cold, and once things take a turn, the visuals ratchet up in subtle but impactful ways. Instead of leaning on cheap horror gimmicks, the film uses its intimate setting to bottle up the pressure. The camera never gives you much breathing room, which adds to the sensation that Tate is fighting for more than just a job—she’s fighting to keep herself intact.

Bryan Coffee adds a different sense to the film’s tone. His smug presence amplifies the already tense atmosphere, and while he doesn’t have much screen time, his role is vital. He becomes the face of the system—the one holding power just long enough to vanish and leave chaos behind. Even when played out, that power dynamic taps into something raw and very real for anyone who’s ever been on the receiving end of an “open door” that leads nowhere.

It’s always impressive when a short film feels like it leaves a big footprint, and A CERTAIN METHOD does exactly that. It’s weird, it’s bold, and it plays its satire with just enough edge to cut. Johnson’s connection to the material gives it a heartbeat, which separates this from other horror shorts that rely too much on gimmick and not enough on meaning.

Something is exciting about seeing a director bring their own life and frustrations into a genre story without it feeling preachy or self-indulgent. This isn’t just Johnson using horror as a mask for autobiography—it’s her using horror to expose the absurdity of a system she’s had to fight through. The metaphor works because she’s lived it!

A CERTAIN METHOD pulls off a tricky balancing act—mixing genre aspects with commentary while keeping its tone sharp and pacing efficient. With solid direction, an engaging lead, and a concept that turns the audition process into a horror gauntlet, this short deserves the attention it’s getting. Whether you're a horror fan, an actor, or someone who’s ever had to fight for their place in a room, there’s something here for you.

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[photo courtesy of FELICITY FILMS]

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