Familiar: Review Of A Horror Short

Familiar has won two awards at the Toronto International Film& Video Awards in 2012.

• ‘Best Director’ – Richard Powell, “Familiar” (2012)
• ‘Best Narrative Short’ – “Familiar” (2012)

Familiar is about a man John Dodd (twin brother of the main character in Worm), played by Robert Nolan, and his wife and daughter. We follow John and his thoughts during several days maybe weeks even. If this sounds familiar you are right, it is the same concept of Worm another short by the writer and director of this film, Richard Powell.

John’s thoughts are acted upon when time passes. The consequences of his actions are very severe. He is hurting the people he loves. As his actions are getting more brutal he is starting to doubt his own thoughts and actions. But are those his own thoughts…..  What is that strange thing …. As time progresses we see John dealing with his demons in more than one way. If he beats them, you’ll just have to see.

It’s a psychological horror with an open end or does it. That is the big question. The final scenes (without giving away too much) are, in my opinion, shot brilliantly. By shifting focus it creates a whole new level of angst. Which is off course a good thing in a horror.

The movie is available via iTunes for those interested.