April brings the end of winter, at least, here in the Northeast US. It also marks the Halfway point to October and the Horror Movie season!
I stumbled into independent horror short films a few years ago and am still dismayed at how excellent they can be. Working with limited cast, budget, and special effects, these movies show the true grit of the filmmaker and the ability to convey terror in a simple and efficient way.
“Double Vision” is a 2024 piece crafted by up-and-coming filmmaker Isabelle Kiser. It’s 5 minutes in length and offers no dialogue. Kiser wrote, directed, edited, produced, and serves as the only on-screen character.
The Simplicity of Short Horror
A young woman (Isabelle Kiser) reads a story on her phone that references doppelgangers. The woman is alone at night. The story is limited to a dark parking lot and the character’s home. The ambiance of solitude is perfectly set from the start..
The woman meanders about; the purpose of the film is pure horror. Suddenly, a familiar face begins to stalk her.
“Double Vision” features one of the most chilling jump scare/images I have watched. It’s fast and effective, and fun to watch.
Artists are often the most critical of their own work. Isabelle Kiser commented on the film, explaining it was written, shot, and edited in one day for a contest. She concluded with a promise that “the next one will be much better.”
I will be checking out her other work. For now, “Double Vision” stands as a solid, simple piece.
Click to Watch “Double Vision”
