Have you ever had one of those moments where you are not sure if you are dreaming, or worse – having a nightmare? That queasy uncertainty pervades within the short film, “Nightmare,” directed by Zach Damon. In five suspenseful minutes, Damon pulls viewers into a creepy realm where folklore, fear, and reality are mixed.
“Nightmare” introduces viewers to the Irish folklore of the Púca, a shapeshifting trickster who delights in playing pranks on unsuspecting victims. Through storytelling, the short blends legend and fact by blurring what is real, and what might — or might not — be a nightmare. When the story begins, a menacing knock at the door draws characters and viewers into a shared sense of fear and tension. Viewers question whether this is merely a story, or the beginning of something more sinister.
Despite its brief length, “Nightmare” creates a richly immersive environment, thanks in large part to its captivating sound design and cinematography. The film lures viewers into its eerie world through sensory details. Viewers can almost feel the windy weather, the rain hitting the ground, and the thud of horse hooves, making us feel like we are part of the scene. The pacing is deliberate, creating a sense of growing panic that leaves viewers almost breathless with every change of scene. As the music grows more intense, so do viewers’ emotions. The short not only obscures reality within the film – it obscures reality from the viewers, as well.
“Nightmare” is a lesson in short-form storytelling. Zach Damon created a film that captures the disorienting feeling of being trapped between being awake and being in a dream. For fans of horror, myth, or well executed suspense, “Nightmare” is a must see.
“Nightmare,” which was written and produced by Tameka Citchen Spruce, a Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab alumna, was produced as part of this year’s Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (EDFC), an annual five-day competition, founded by Nic Novicki, in which filmmakers must create original three-to-five minute films based on a different theme each year. This year’s theme is thriller.
This review was written by Disability Belongs™ Faith and Spirituality Fellow Ruth Kraus and edited by Disability Belongs™ Entertainment and Media Fellow Olivia Hall.
