Happenstance Horror Fest – National Block Review (2025)

HAPPENSTANCE HORROR FEST offers a full day of short horror films, divided into multiple blocks—so every horror fan should find something that tickles their scary bone (that’s a thing, right?). If you’re craving blood and guts made right here in the U.S.A., check out the RED, WHITE, AND EW block.

Spoiler-Free Recap & Review

The block kicks off fast with micro-short I HATE WAKING UP, a bite-sized nightmare that perfectly captures the horror of trying to fall (and stay) asleep.

BOKEH follows a photographer who discovers her upcoming deadline isn’t the only thing haunting her latest shoot.

The third film, which oddly has no title in its credits, I’ve dubbed MOTHER FACE for this review. A neighborly visit turns sinister in a story that feels right at home alongside Evil Dead Rise.

FISHER OF MEN delivers some much-needed comic relief. A fisherman disgusted by littering does a good deed—only to reel in something far less friendly.

Next up is THE RETURN OF THE NÄCKEN, a fever-dream of color and chaos. Hard to summarize, but impossible to forget.

GRIN reimagines a classic horror setup—a teen home alone on Halloween night with a killer on the loose—told entirely from the outside of the house. The choice is bold and works brilliantly.

STILL WATER channels a gorgeous 1970s Kodak vibe as a young woman reluctantly takes part in a river baptism that awakens something truly evil.

Finally, MY WIFE closes the block on an eerie, emotional note, told through photos and videos documenting one woman’s chilling descent from marital bliss.

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Overall, the RED, WHITE, AND EW block is a fun, bold, and diverse showcase of American-made horror shorts. At just over an hour, it’s the perfect length—grab some popcorn and settle in.

My personal favorites are BOKEH and GRIN, both of which put clever spins on familiar horror tropes.

• BOKEH executes its “haunted photography” premise beautifully through strong cinematography, acting, and a haunting score.

• GRIN’s commitment to its single exterior perspective keeps you glued to the screen.

And a special shout-out to FISHER OF MEN, which fully embraces its weird, silly horror-comedy energy in the best possible way.

HAPPENSTANCE HORROR FEST takes place Saturday, November 8 in historic Salem, Massachusetts.