Horror Short – Starring Robert Haulbrook, Jodi Essex, Tommy Allen Taylor. Written/Directed by Michael Sharpe (2011)
Deviling is Michael Sharpe’s second directorial offering, following 2010’s darkly disturbing horror short Monomaniacal. Deviling is a story of rejection and revenge, and is a horrifying reminder that none of us know what another person is capable of. The 14 minute film has been well received on the festival circuit, winning Best Narrative Fiction at the Carrboro Film Festival 2011, as well as Best Actor at the same festival for Robert Haulbrook’s portrayal of Ronald.
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| Robert Haulbrook (Ronald) & Jodi Essex (Sharlene) |
The film plunges us into the cold, clinical, lifeless world of Ronald. The lack of colour in Ronald’s lab scenes, as well as the corpse (Tommy Allen Taylor) on the slab, remind us that this is a place for the dead, and provides an eerie contrast with the warm, earthy tones of ex Sharlene’s (Jodi Essex) home. But when Ronald makes an appearance in Sharlene’s bathroom, his chilling presence drains the colour – the life – from the room.
The music score begins with a simple and haunting piano but rises to a climax at certain points in the film, mirroring Ronald’s ever increasing disturbing behaviour. Deviling is an impressive short film, reminiscent of the macabre tales of Edgar Allen Poe or even 1955’s and 1985’s TV show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and provides compulsive viewing with some uncomfortable-to-watch moments. Ronald threatens Sharlene that he will, ‘Make sure your nightmares come true’, and while this isn’t the first time i’ve seen this particular nightmare played out on screen, the tightly written plot, excellent production values and the superb performances from its small cast give the story a fresh, solid and unique slant.
The music score begins with a simple and haunting piano but rises to a climax at certain points in the film, mirroring Ronald’s ever increasing disturbing behaviour. Deviling is an impressive short film, reminiscent of the macabre tales of Edgar Allen Poe or even 1955’s and 1985’s TV show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and provides compulsive viewing with some uncomfortable-to-watch moments. Ronald threatens Sharlene that he will, ‘Make sure your nightmares come true’, and while this isn’t the first time i’ve seen this particular nightmare played out on screen, the tightly written plot, excellent production values and the superb performances from its small cast give the story a fresh, solid and unique slant.
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| Ronald's Art |
Robert Haulbrook is creepily convincing as the mortician declining into madness, a role that Michael Sharpe wrote with Haulbrook in mind. Sharpe has the ability to create sinister characters that drag their victims into their dark and demented worlds with ease, both in Deviling and Monomaniacal, and I eagerly await what he will do next.
Rating 4 out of 5
By Lisa Richardson
You can watch 'Deviling' online at http://vimeo.com/35602557
Follow 'Deviling' on Facebook www.facebook.com/devilingmovie
Rating 4 out of 5
By Lisa Richardson
You can watch 'Deviling' online at http://vimeo.com/35602557
Follow 'Deviling' on Facebook www.facebook.com/devilingmovie
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