Landing in the first of two short film showcases (at this years FrightFest), She took the audience by surprise (certainly myself anyway) with its slow build up and top notch central performance from actress Fiona Dourif who starred in Curse of Chucky last year.

 

The story follows a young couple through the everyday rituals of waking up, going to work and making dinner. However, the wife is unhappy with her abusive husband and it slowly becomes clear that she has a sinister plan for him on the night of their anniversary. With a candlelit dinner prepared and dressed to perfection her husband thinks he’s in for the best night of his life, if only he knew what was to come…

 

The direction is impressive, with the clinical whites of the bedroom and kitchen foreshadowing the inevitable blood that is to come. The two actors barely talk and this is to great effect because the haunting score comes in and heightens the tension immediately so we know something dark is imminent.

 

Fiona Dourif is fantastic as the wife; she gives us so much with just one expression that there’s no need for any dialogue. The suspense gradually builds to its rather surprising finale, one which will make you squeal and squirm in your seat. Atmospheric and eerie, this is one short film you won’t forget.