PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Good intentions may pave the way to Hell, but the experience of watching Natasha Pascetta’s short film, Road Trash, was a heavenly experience. This review is for Cinepocalypse 2019.
Synopsis
Road Trash is a short horror film about a girl who is addicted to burying roadkill. One day, she unknowingly buries a werewolf. The burial incites the beast, and he escapes his grave to stalk the girl around the town she lives in.
Movie Review
I had such a great time with Road Trash. Director/Writer/Actress Pascetta’s debut horror short does a commendable job at paying homage to the genre by way of classic Bava/Argento-esque lighting design with heavy reds and greens filling the frame and breathing life into the new imagery as her character steps bravely through the maze-like set.
I thoroughly enjoyed the location chosen to shoot the film. The film cast and crew perfectly uses the quaint little town of Mineral Wells, Texas, and the abandoned Baker Hotel as their backdrop to create a distinct and haunting atmosphere.
This is also the first film for music composer James Malone, who goes all out with his score for this project. Some composers usually need a couple of film scores before they find their footing when it comes to tackling this type of format, but Malone comes charging out of the gate at full stride. His score adds to the visual atmosphere and does a wonderful job at setting the pace of the film.
As if all the aforementioned elements weren’t enticing enough to convince one to seek out this short film, Pascetta drops a horror icon into the audience’s lap by way of Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise), delivering a great running narration that perfectly complements the onscreen action.
Final Thoughts
Road Trash is a great short story that pulls the viewer in one direction, then snaps them in another from act to act. The ability to swing the audience from twist to twist without oversaturating this type of plot device is the sign of a truly talented filmmaker.
The love and respect of horror is strong with Natasha Pascetta, and I can honestly say that I am keeping my ear to the ground for her future endeavors. Road Trash is a short film I recommend without hesitation. Do yourself a favor, and check it out!
