I was first introduced to this short film by the director I’m working on a short film with. I showed him Francis, which reminded him of Lights Out, so he showed me. Trust me when I say I’ve already been seeing things when I turn off the lights around the house since I saw the short. Who hasn’t felt “something” was there, when they were home alone? This short suggests your fears may not be entirely unfounded…

This fabulous less-than-three-minutes-long horror short film was directed by David Sandberg and features Lotta Losten. Watch at your own risk.

That ending! Tell me that didn’t just totally freak you out. I love Lotta Losten‘s performance – her reactions are so relatable, and she conveyed her fear brilliantly. It’s almost as if her speeding heartbeat is palpable!

Lights Out was submitted to the Bloody Cuts Horror Challenge, but didn’t win any of the big prizes. However, it did win the award for Best Director. Even if the quality of the sound could have been better, the talent of the people involved in this film is obvious. The shots are brilliantly composed: the intimate ones you share with Lotta underneath the sheets, as well as the ones on the hallway, when she turns the lights on and off. It’s almost as if you’re right there beside her. The lighting – which is obviously important in this film – is done very, very well. Particularly when Lotta’s underneath the sheets and her bed lamp’s light shines through the lighter spots in her sheets; it creates a powerful atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to seeing more of this director’s work.

You have to check out the other short films submitted to the current state of (feature length) horror, the short films are refreshing. I’m thinking perhaps short film may be a better format for the horror genre: with the limited amount of time, the film has to come to the point quickly, and that point hits home much harder. There are no dragged out hunter vs. prey scenes, no lengthy screaming and torture scenes, and the predictability seems lower. Moreover, you can’t say these shorts are boring, or sleep-inducing. Au contraire: they probably trouble you enough to keep you from sleep.

What did you think of Lights Out? Do you agree with me that short film may be a better format for the horror genre, or not?

If you enjoyed Lights Out, please share it on your social networks! Thanks 🙂