PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Nightmares Film Festival 2020 has been one of the most enjoyable festivals to cover this year because of all their quality content. This includes their Stephen King Dollar Babies block. This is a block that consists of four shorts that are based off Stephen King stories. If you ask me, all of these are better than some of the full feature Stephen King adaptations we have today!
All That You Love Will Be Carried Away
This film was directed by Thad Lee with a cast starring Rhes Low and Johnny McPhail.
Synopsis:
A salesman’s love of bathroom graffiti may save his life on a cold, dark Nebraska night. Based on a short story by Stephen King.
This one was beautifully told as a short but I would also love to see it as a full feature. It was so great. Phenomenal acting, excellent cinematography, and a lingering of mystery throughout the short. The perfect Stephen King story.
Uncle Otto’s Truck
This film was directed by Dan Sellers with a cast starring Tom Gore, Sammie Cassell, and Lilie Butler.
Synopsis:
Based on the short story by Stephen King, Uncle Otto’s Truck tells the tale of an old man driven to madness by a dark obsession.
I love how this story was told and the narrative behind it. It keeps you invested the whole time and it’s shot beautifully. It’s simple but also rich in detail. The image of the truck and the madness by the story has stuck with me long after watching the short.
Here There Be Tygers
This film was directed by Polly Schattel with a cast starring Selah Atwood, Marisa Blake, Penny Munroe, and Jennifer Trudrung.
Synopsis:
A feminine twist adaptation of the Stephen King short story by the same name, Here There Be Tygers follows Charlie as she faces a terrifying predator after being bullied by her cruel teacher and manipulative classmate.
This was one of my favorites of the block even though I enjoyed them all. I loved the feminine twist and it reminded me of a new age version of Ginger Snaps in some aspects. The characters really stood out to me because they were vile and cruel except for Charlie. I was just waiting for karma to bite them in the butt and oh boy did it. Deliciously revengeful. The scene at the end with the creepy animal masks was haunting and pure nightmare fuel.
Beachworld 
This film was directed by Jackie Perez with a cast starring Samantha Cutaran, Tom McCafferty, and Lyn Ross.
Synopsis:
After a Federation ship crash-lands on a desert alien planet, locating the ship’s emergency beacon is the only hope, but when a salvage crew answers the distress signal, it’s already too late.
This one is the sci-fi horror of the bunch and I really dug the setting and story. It’s shot extremely well and the creators truly make it feel like they’re on a deserted planet. I specifically want to make mention of the phenomenal special effects and costume design in this short. Great work!
All of these shorts are wonderful and breathed beautiful life into the stories of Stephen King. I think he would be proud. Be sure to check them out when you can!
