A mysterious phenomenon occurs during a video call between two friends that ultimately leads to death. Here is our review of Writer/Director Thomas Burke’s micro-short horror, SHC: Freak Accident.
There’s a famous quote attributed to Woody Allen where he says “It’s not that I’m afraid to die I just don’t want to be there when it happens” it’s a funny line that helps to ease the tension of a very dark situation. I assume everyone has some fear of death? How strong this fear is, I believe, depends on the individual. Fear of death can either constrict and control the decisions you make in life or it can liberate you and enable you to achieve things you never thought possible 1 deposit casino nz.com.
Thomas Burke, the writer/director of SHC: Freak Accident, falls somewhere in between these two extremes. As a 7-year old he watched a TV series all about spontaneous human combustion that has stayed at the forefront of his imagination ever since. Burke says this strange and unusual phenomenon still remains his biggest fear and believes it to be the most frightening way he could die. What Burke has commendably managed to do is harness his fear, face it and then use it to create a pacey and unsettling 90-second micro short film.
Opening on what seems to be the home screen of an old 90’s Windows operating system complete with blocky icons and old-school tabs, Tommy (played by Burke) video calls his friend Zack (Zachary T. Scott) who is out partying. Looking pasty and pale while feeling lonely and completely cut off, Tommy confusingly chats to his friend, explaining how unwell he is feeling and that he can’t explain the reasons why. Zack, brash, confident, and cool, tries to talk him down and calm his friend with small talk. His efforts to smooth over the situation are proven worthless in the end however when a freak event occurs in front of his eyes and something horrific ingrains itself on his psyche.
That SHC: Freak Accident manages to tell its story in the short time it has is a credit to Burke’s writing, editing, and direction. We learn a great deal about our two characters simply by the way they talk to each other while quick cuts between close-ups of the two and the use of split-screen, Burke manages to ratchet up the tension of the situation. Scott is great as the cocky party goer, but it’s Burke’s performance full of nervous ticks, desperation, and angst that you remember.
The special effects are very good for a short of this size and limited budget. The 90’s computer screen full of chunky icons and emojis is very colourful and pops out at you, while the fact it is an old operating system that never had the capability of video calling doesn’t spoil the effect. Finally, the horrific money shot used at the end is strong enough to leave an impact on viewers much like the early TV series that left its impact on a poor 7-year-old Thomas Burke.
Overall, SHC: Freak accident is a successful horror short that is well constructed and contains a shockingly good payoff.