‘Portrait of God:’ A Great Concept and Crafty Filmmaking Result in a Perfect Horror Short   

No man shall see Me and live

The cold line comes from the book of Exodus, and its presence on screen opens the short horror film “Portrait of God.”

The 2022 piece comes from filmmaker Dylan Clark. Excellent writing, single character acting, and horror elements are here, and all confined to a mere seven-and-a-half minutes.

Unique Script

Mia Reilly (Sydney Brumfield) is preparing for a presentation. She’s recording and timing herself as she reads her cryptic opening statement. “What does God look like?” Mia displays a photograph of a painting titled Portrait of God. The display appears to be nothing but black, and she confirms that that is what most people, including herself, see.

But some can discern an image. Specifically, a person in the darkness, and we hear the voices of recorded testimonials describing it in eerie details. A face with an unsettling grin. Close to a man with frightening eyes. “I don’t like looking at it.” One person says. “It’s beautiful.” Croons another.

Dylan Clark has managed to craft an eerie story with a unique idea. We’ve all run across drawings and internet images done in this vein. I remember the optical illusion of the old/young woman from a college textbook. And who can forget the ravenous debate over what color the dress is?

For centuries, some have claimed to see images of God or various religious phenomenon in everything from clouds to coffee swirls. It’s easy to envision a painting drawing such intrigue.

Great Performance

Sydney Brumfield is the only character and does a remarkable job. It’s a horror story, so of course she’s preparing for her report by herself in a dark auditorium with a projector that offers only the faintest hint of light. Mia wears a crucifix around her neck, and subtleties let us know that, while she can’t see anything in the photograph, she wants to.

The effects used for the portrait and subject manner are truly creepy. And concealed enough by shadow that any limitations to the quality are undetectable.

“Portrait of God” is the best horror short I have watched to date. It’s tangible proof that a great idea and crafty filmmaking can defeat a big budget ten times out of ten.

Click here to watch “Portrait of God”