News

“Agatha” is a Disturbingly Effective Horror Short

Published

7 years ago

January 10, 2017

Written by Shannon McGrew

Short films can be hit or miss and I’ve learned from viewing many of them that it can be a delicate balance in making sure your audience understands the full concept of the film in the short time frame that it’s given. One of the best horror shorts to have come out of 2016 not only executes their concept perfectly but is also one of the most effective and terrifying shorts that I have ever seen.

Agatha, from director Timothy Vandenberg, is a ten minute short that doesn’t need to rely on over-the-top special effects and frills. The premise centers around a young orphan girl who takes on an odd job in which she’s not allowed to tell anyone where she is or what she is doing for a very wealthy woman. She is tasked with bringing food up to the attic and to never step foot farther than where she is told to place the plate of food.

Early on, we are given a clue, through a photograph, that something is not right with whatever is inhabiting the space in the attic. Without question, the orphan girl goes up there day in, and day out, and places the food on the table. You can see her curiosity brewing behind her doe-like eyes, but she follows the rules to a T. Each day she goes up and each day she is paid, but soon enough things start to take a much sinister turn.

What makes Agatha so great is that it’s able to add mystery and suspense with barely a word spoken. The dialogue is very sparse, only showing up at the beginning, and the viewer is left to put together the pieces through the events that unfold. The tension is palpable and it’s hard not to reach out and help steer the orphan girl from harm’s way.

As for the horror aspect of this short, it’s spot on. There are no “jump scares” or musical cues to prepare you for what is to come, which I find to be quite refreshing. There is no shrieking or screaming when the inevitable occurs, which almost makes the climax of the short that much more terrifying. The silence is deafening because, though it answers the question as to what happens, it doesn’t tell us how it happens.

As the short comes to a close, the director gives us a glimpse into who, or what, Agatha is, and it’s horrifying. It’s the perfect way to end the short because it’s an image that will stay ingrained in your memory long after the short is over. It’s also a reminder that there are many things that lurk hidden within the shadows, away from prying eyes and questions; things that are better left unknown.

Overall, Agatha is one of the best horror short films I’ve ever seen. It’s use of practical effects and shadow play make for a truly chilling tale and the acting from the orphan girl makes everything feel so realistic. If I could, I would beg Director Timothy Vandenberg to make a full feature film, but I have a feeling “Agatha” is best played out as a short. When it comes to effective horror, I can’t recommend this short enough and I can promise you you won’t be disappointed.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related Topics:agatha horror short timothy vandenberg

Editorial

Yay or Nay: What’s Good and Bad in Horror This Week

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Welcome to Yay or Nay a weekly mini post about what I think is good and bad news in the horror community written in bite-sized chunks.

Yay:

Mike Flanagan talking about directing the next chapter in the Exorcist trilogy. That might mean he saw the last one and realized there were two left and if he does anything well it’s draw out a story.

Yay:

To the announcement of a new IP-based film Mickey Vs Winnie. It’s fun to read comical hot takes from people who haven’t even seen the movie yet.

Nay:

The new Faces of Death reboot gets an R rating. It’s not really fair — Gen-Z should get an unrated version like past generations so they can question their mortality the same as the rest of us did.

Yay:

Russell Crowe is doing another possession movie. He’s quickly becoming another Nic Cage by saying yes to every script, bringing the magic back to B-movies, and more money into VOD.

Nay:

Putting The Crow back in theaters for its 30th anniversary. Re-releasing classic movies at the cinema to celebrate a milestone is perfectly fine, but doing so when the lead actor in that film was killed on set due to neglect is a cash grab of the worst kind.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Lists

The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

News

Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors.

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie.

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time.

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.