Ida (Kerstin Jannerup Gjesing) is a cherubic tyke that is getting some serious static in her life thanks to some dreadful dreams of a monster that has it out for her. Her mother, Leonora (Molly Blixt Egelind), assures her that there are no monsters… as she herself battles the demon in a bottle; I’m talkin’ booze boils n’ ghouls!
Let me tell you lot; this sinister short really plays with ya! This thing enters some dark, psychologically fucked-up territory and smacks you right in the gut, while playing out in sun dappled rooms full of bright, cheery color. It’s that dichotomy that makes the entire affair so damn unsettling… well, that and the fact young Ida has no skills to help her cope with the horrors of her dreams and her reality.
Speaking of Ida, Gjesing is one hell of a fantastic actor who’s tender age belies her acting prowess, and Egelind as her beleaguered mother is no slouch either as she bounces back and forth between emotions with shocking ease.
Also of note is the effective make-up design courtesy of Thomas Foldberg and Charlotte Laustsen which gives our antagonist a face seemingly comprised of parchment skin and broken blood vessels; it’s a more realistic approach then usually catches the eerie eyeballs of yours cruelly, but it’s well-done and deserves a mention!
Bottom line; writer/director Parminder Singh has delivered a short terror tale filled with a powerful narrative, horror tropes, and a reminder that reality can be more terrifying than and dread beastie that may be prowling the night.
