PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Few phrases catch my attention quicker than “based on true events,” especially when it pertains to horror! So, my excitement peaked when I heard that PROco PROduction coMPANY, Queen Scream and Chronix EFX, a trio that I’ve been following for awhile, were collaborating for a short horror film called That Night, which was inspired by actual events. This three-way team up does not disappoint. This short is one to remember!
As a troubled couple drives to a house party, it’s clear that we’re in for a rocky evening, to say the least. When the guests disperse and the night comes to an end, the terror begins. Last to remain, this couple becomes the unsuspecting prey as their hosts turn predator and seek them out to get their deadly kicks.
Malvolia: The Queen of Screams’ Jennifer Nangle (read our interview with her here) and Garrett Lee (Devil’s Acid 2017) not only star in the short, but they also wrote the script. These two are fantastic in their respective roles of Rachel and Josh. Conveying tension thick enough to cut with a hacksaw, this duo sets the tone with intriguing, dramatic mystery. As the story unfolds, it’s clear that Josh wants to salvage his relationship, while his wife is struggling to cope with something serious. Nangle and Lee display convincing onscreen chemistry as a couple on the verge of a crippled marriage that can only be saved from life-threatening trauma.
In what is possibly her best performance yet, Nangle pulls out all the stops. Leading the film as a woman bottling up her emotions while seeking solace through the bottle, she proves her ability as a dramatic actress. Transitioning from a married woman struggling internally to a victim of sudden shock and distress, it will be interesting to see what this Queen of Screams dives into next.
Giving an equally savage performance as a devious couple ready to conquer Natural Born Killers-style, Raymond Vinsik Williams (Garden Party Massacre 2018) and Amanda Cano (Ancient Games 2018) dominate in their roles as Scott and Erika. This deadly, sadistic couple give the impression of normality… at first. Williams plays the perfect antagonist with a gradual transition from considerate host to dirtbag to malicious, would-be murder. With Cano’s performance of a bloodthirsty killer, this is a match made in Hell.
With Joseph Davis and Brian Gerson and their PROco PROduction coMPANY crew taking up the directing helm, I expected success. However, these resourceful indie creators show their continued growth of talent with a modest budget. Not only is the production quality impressive for this scale of storytelling, but subtle cinematic effects match the short film’s tone scene for scene while adding an unnerving nuance to the riveting, suspenseful moments.
Another subtle element that I respect and admire is the contribution by Chronix EFX. Thankfully, there are no cheap, fake looking, made for SyFy television CGI elements. That just isn’t how this crew rolls. While extravagant special effects weren’t necessary in this short, the effects that were shown add to the believability, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Serving as the icing on the cake strategically capturing every moment in this brief 27 minute short is former Evanescence drummer turned filmmaker Rocky Gray (read our interview with him here). Composing a spine tingling score, Gray mixes up a soundtrack that encompasses everything from distraught drama to amplified suspense. This crucial audio element brings everything together in a tightly wrapped story delivering chills, thrills and shrills.
Personally, I have loved seeing these groups of talent develop into who they are today. Every element in That Night, from the acting to the cinematography to the special effects to the music build on each other in exactly the way you want from a suspenseful, dramatic horror. With dramatic moments leading up to surprising shock and dismay, That Night marks the best work I have seen from these blossoming, passionate industry artists. Feel free to check out the short film for yourself free of charge by clicking the link below, and let us know what you think!
