Woods (Short, 2017)
Matt Boiselle
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Starring David Clark, Ted Otis, Eva Larvoire
Directed by Sean van Leijenhorst
As a writer, I feel that you have to have at least a fraction of your mind a little askew, just to keep the boat afloat, you know what I mean? In Sean van Leijenhorst’s short-film, Woods, a writer’s greatest asset might be what’s causing his downfall.
After the tragic death of his wife, writer John Stramen (Clark) takes his existence deep into the woods to throw himself back into his passion, and alongside his trusted canine companion, he pays the bills chopping wood – solid work, but something’s missing (you can also tell he’s working out a little frustration on the trees). His nights are filled with fear and uncertainty, especially when mischievous vandals begin to take aim at his property, further fueling his paranoiac-like mindset. Simple pranks like eggs thrown at the house suddenly turn into seriously dangerous attacks such as awaking one night to find his car ablaze – someone’s got an issue with John, and it looks as if it’s only going to get worse.
His emotions are causing him to become more withdrawn, and he’s all too quick to jump on people at a moment’s notice – Clark is so effective in this role, it’s frightening. The mood in this near 30-minute production is so intently heavy, it weighs on you, and there was more than one scene that had me reactive to a jump-scare, a rarity with today’s horror product. Is it all in his mind, or is there something infinitely more sinister at play? Woods is without a doubt, one of the best short films I’ve had the opportunity to witness in quite some time – make sure to check this out when it comes your way.
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Film
Categorized:Reviews
