Burn (2017)

In the midst of national hysteria and incomprehensible personal tragedy, a child is born bearing the scars of other people's sins.

Review

It's a nice little touch when you get something that you weren't expecting. In retrospect, the synopsis of Burn is a perfect description of what your going to get - except for all the twists of course. I can't say too much about the plot for spoilers, so I won't - needless to say it's very well done.

Lots of horror shorts are scary. This one is less scary, and more...twisted. Crammed into just shy of 15 minutes, there are two remarkable twists - neither of which I saw coming. Writer Chris Barnes (debut) has seen to that. It's a perfectly executed story of sickness and depravity, all told with a warm
heart at the center. Director Judson Vaughan (Soul Breaker) does a wicked job too. Sharp cutting brings a real brunt to some scenes, but a deft slow linger is left in others.

With an outstandingly deranged performance from Max Cavenham (Desecration), and a caring, understated turn from the young Matti Kolirin (debut), Burn hits the spot for slow burn modern horror.

It's an excellent example of story-telling over visuals - and as the twists come it becomes more and more gripping until the final act where all is revealed.

Stunning stuff.