Individual Film Analysis_"Don't Move"- Award Winning Short Film.

 A Film Review

DON'T MOVE

https://youtu.be/f9jd6lyGvMI?si=OPKNNMv9feVT76lN

DON'T MOVE

Director: Anthony Melton

Writer: David Scullion

Duration: 13mins,56secs

CAST; Rachel Bright as Anna

                          Jake Hendricks as Marc

                           Beth Cooper as Sarah

                           Kate Braithwaite as Jill

                           Martin Skipper as Paul

                           Calvin Dean as Graham

                           Ian Whyte as the demon  

reviewed by BOYE GABRIEL LARYEA

                The film, "Don't Move" is one of a kind, it had me the whole time and my mind was overthinking. It had me anxious throughout the film. At every second, it felt like I had fire in my vain.  Without a doubt. Every second of the film has a purpose. The beginning sets an eerie mood which is enticing to the viewer. A set of friends who came together to enjoy a casual night play with a Ouija board and in the process, summon a demon. For added misery, the demon kills everyone who moves. Very slowly, they try to survive by silencing themselves. This movie portrays the extent to which dread can control people. When panic strikes, trust is the first thing to vanish. There are more than a few people that are ready to go to the depths of selfishness under the disguise of saving their lives. You bet there are shocking moments. I was amazed when someone betrays their friend just to save themselves. It's unforgettable. It was impactful for me as well. You think you know how it ends but it sneaks up with something no one saw coming.

                Even with the limited time or duration of the, their panic and fear felt real. Nothing about their performance seemed overacted. Powerful. The actors did not require too many words, their emotions conveyed through their faces and eyes was enough. That heightened believability. The individual who stood out was the one who betrayed a friend for the sake of survival. Not good, character-wise, but impactful in a narrative sense. That highlighted the frightening lengths to which people can go when they are desperate. At first, they seemed like very good friends, but as the situation deteriorated, you witnessed the bonds of friendship shatter due to fear. That added to the emotional aspect. 

                The shots were tight and slow, which heightened the intensity and immersion, as though we were alongside them, holding our breath. The candlelight, shadows, and darkness created a setting that felt populated by fear and was confined. The demon was partially visible, which worsened the situation. The use of dark colors and low lighting provided a creepy atmosphere. It heightened the sensation of trust and safety being close yet perilously concealed in the lurking danger. 

                I was not expecting to get so much from a short film. However, this film was able to provide the viewer with a deep horror experience in few minutes. Best: The concept, the tension, the use of sound and visuals. Weakest: Some moments their logic from which point the demon decided who to attack was not very clear. Yes! It provoked anxiety. It instilled fear and even sadness, which is gripping. Absolutely. For anyone interested in horror, this is absolutely recommended, particularly if they appreciate psychological tension over gore. Yes. It does support the statement how fear can alter people’s behavior and how quickly self-preservation instincts can take over bond of friendship.

STORY

             Protagonist is Anna, a level-headed member of the friend group who, from the moment the demon appears, makes it her mission to keep everyone calm and find a way out. Her goal is to protect her friends and survive the night. Antagonist is the Demon, an unseen supernatural force summoned by the Ouija board. Its sole objective is to punish any movement or sound by killing the offender. The demon’s goal is simple: enforce its deadly rule and feed off fear by picking off victims one by one.

 A Six pack of friends was laughing in a warm living room while setting out snacks and drinks. During an attic exploration, an old fashioned Ouija board caught their gaze. Out of half-hearted jest, they put their fingers on the planchette. It jerks violently, spelling “I am here.” Nothing short of a lights flicker. A shrugged off prank until the first friend sways and a furious, deafening shriek cuts to black. A body drops dead, silent. Proving the rule stands: no movement, no sound. It is Anna who comes to the conclusion that they is a game with dire stakes. Their friends huddle together trembling in terror, ends with them frozen, wide-eyed. 

                Every breath, heartbeat, twitch is lethal. Fear seeps into everything. The friends grapple with whispers, attempting to brainstorm. Anna's goal: Preserves a level head. Calm, ‘Stay still, stay silent, we’ll figure this out.' Seeking to bring calm, she begins shuffling through the attic, looking for spell-reversing clues.

                 As dusk deepens, the demon forces more aggressive tactics—candles blow out, floorboards creak. One friend panics, accidentally shifting a foot. The demon’s screech and a sudden snap kill them instantly. Desperation sets in. Marc, convinced he won’t survive, sneaks his friend’s ringing phone into her coat pocket. When her phone buzzes, the demon rips her life away. Anna watches in horror as trust crumbles. Anna finds a torn page from the board’s instruction manual suggesting that silence alone might not be enough; they need to “banish” the spirit.                  Only Anna and one other friend remain. The demon corners them in the attic. Their breathing echoes. Hope fades as the last candle gutter s. Remembering the manual’s hint, Anna quietly retrieves a salt shaker and sprinkles a ring of salt around herself. Holding her breath. The demon lashes out flickers of movement in the shadows.

                

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