The first day on a new job can be stressful, especially when you’re already down on your luck. However, things can always go from bad to worse. After all, you never really know who you’re going to end up with at the end of the day.
Written, directed and starring Amanda B. Goodman (You Only Die Once 2017) and Seth Panman (A Crime to Remember TV series), The Keys is a horror short that tells the tale of an NYC real estate broker named Sam (Panman) who’s troubled by a past of deep regret, remorse and resentment. To top it off, it is his first day on the job, which turns from stressful to awkward when his client, Al, turns out to be a women whose full name is Ally (Goodman). Captivated by Ally’s charm and wit, Sam’s day takes a more personal turn as the two begin to share stories after initial flirtatious banter during an apartment walkthrough. However, a much darker twist approaches when Sam takes Ally to a second apartment for showcasing.
Though The Keys has a short runtime of approximately 16 minutes, most of which revolves around conversation between Sam and Ally, Goodman and Panman keep things interesting with witty dialogue. The film initially comes off as the beginning of a playful romantic drama that bears a certain level of charm. However, this setup makes the looming dark twist that much more of an unexpected mind trip, giving the total impact of a startling surprise.
While no extravagant visuals or special effects were used, The Keys relies on the stellar performances of Goodman and Panman, making you become invested in their characters and their story. As the plot takes a much darker turn, simple yet effective practical special effects and lighting are applied to accent one character’s devilish revelation. To see this short story unfold and find out which character goes to the darkside, click the link below and watch this enthralling horror for yourself!