Reunion

Atmospheric horror short Reunion is a twisted take on the fractured family dynamic, one in which a son out for inheritance ahead of reconciliation gets more than he bargains for.

Sean (Patrick Thomas Kovacs) arranges a reunion with his father Robert (Brett Bickley). Already feeling the strain of a tumultuous relationship with his wife Lydia (Erika Herbert), Sean hopes to acquire his father’s inheritance money to enhance his own wealth. But his selfish nature blinds him to the consequences of his own actions. The transformation of their relationship becomes evident to Sean, but a literal transformation shocks him even more…

Reunion is at its core an intense family drama, with a solid coat of werewolf paint to dial up the horror. Gothic and moody in its setting, Sean’s harsh and uncaring nature is matched by that of the world he inhabits. It is classic horror with a capital ‘c’, echoing the typical stylings of the genre. Director Mark Lakatos ability to implant the modern with gothic elements is impressive, and whilst the locations are not the most thrilling, a bubbling sinister undercurrent is what provides the horror with momentum.

The visual effects that realise the wolf itself are a triumph considering the film’s smaller budget. Audiences will feel the rotten breath and saliva-spittle from the gruesome jaws as they approach Sean. Whilst the transformation itself is largely omitted, the filmmakers make full use of less being more, and the pre-built tension emerging in the pivotal scene means one’s imagination paints a vivid picture – as does Kovacs’ terrified response. A dynamic opening animated sequence further illuminates the short, linking the film into the occult and historical portrayals of wolves throughout history and the terror they pose for all humankind.

Patrick Thomas Kovacs is a ruthless and uncaring Sean – a man with little in the way of redeeming qualities who finds himself at the mercy of the otherworldly transformation of his father. Kovacs brilliantly captures the nature of the manipulator, with viewers invited to ponder on the nature of his relationships with those around him. Brett Bickley as father Robert delivers some ominous soliloquies and aplomb, though the film does feel a little unimaginative at moments that linger with his character. The dialogue in some of these sequences leaves a little to be desired – and whilst scary-sounding doesn’t always progress the narrative in a way that feels necessary.

Reunion is a film unafraid to hold the old faithful techniques of horror close to its heart. It as accomplishment to feel modern and classic simultaneously, and whilst there are occasional cracks in its dialogue or narrative that leads to confusion these are few and far between. This short is a frightful, intense and considered chiller, one that will leave a bite-sized mark.