Spider

I don't know why this short getting too much positive reviews! Short films are intended to create a sea of ideas within a short period of time. I saw some terrific short films in recent times such as Room 8 , La culpa , with Mind blowing twists.

But spider got a wafer thin and uninteresting plot.It might be more pleasing if its trimmed into a shorter length.With a running time of 9 minutes it create extreme lagging.

So, if you are looking for an interesting short with a good plot twist its not your cup of tea.You had better search Google for any other one.

Final verdict: Poor short film with an uninteresting plot.

This is an exceptional piece of film. Brilliantly crafted by Nash Edgerton, I think there is little doubt he is about to make a huge impact on the Australian film industry. This 9 minutes is high impact film making with stunning visuals, slick editing, moody cinematography, amazing production value and kick ass directing. Beyond his obvious skills behind the camera and in the editing suite, Nash plays the lead character with great skill and timing. A measured performance before the mayhem sets in. What else can one say when superlatives do not do this offering justice. I eagerly look forward to Nash's debut feature film currently in production.

Spider, the viral short film that laid the foundations of the Jack trilogy, based on the experiences of Nash Edgerton, who plays Jack and co-writes all 3 installments with his colleague and fellow countryman David Michôd, responsible for three other gems such as Animal Kingdom, The Rover and The King.

Spider is characterized by a very naturalistic and fluid mise-en-scene, filmed by the now highly sought-after Greig Fraser. In Spider we follow the couple Jill and Jack as they drive around Sydney in a classic lemon Peugeot. Jill is played by fellow director Mirrah Foulkes, who we discovered in the aforementioned Animal Kingdom. In Spider, the protagonist couple is in the throes of an argument, where Jill's silences increase the tension. Jack awkwardly tries to patch things up with his girlfriend. We don't know the exact reason for the discord, but it doesn't seem to be the first time Jack screws up and the only thing he can think of to say is that it was a joke. Something that Jill will throw in his face, for taking things too far. Alluding to Jack's mother's foreboding advice at the beginning: "It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye". This is where Jack's inner conflict comes to the fore, where his romantic side clashes diametrically with his compulsive prankster and catalyst, increasing the suspense of the short.

The tone of the short film is absurd, tragic and humorous at the same time, without being as raunchy as Jackass. Curiously, one can identify with it, there is a very real couple fight, universal fears such as spiders and needles, which achieve a communion with the audience and not only remains in the final anecdote. The consequences of Spider's Karma, is an idea that Nash Edgerton would go on to explore in 2008's "The Square", his feature debut, written and co-starring his brother Joel.

*A more detailed review can be found on the youtube channel Kristonkino.

Its realism represents the main virtue of this well crafted story about a second chance, a not inspired gift, terrible consequences of something who seems, first, an innocent joke and the last act or simple punishment of it. A film seductive more for its architecture than for story itself.

After watching Spider as well as another short film titled Lucky, it seems that Nash Edgerton has a slightly warped mind that relishes the bizarre unexpected plot twist. Even though the final twist in Spider is rather macabre, I also found it kind of humorous - sort of a "that's horrid but it does serve you right" reaction.

The production of Spider is very real-life and natural feeling, gritty rather than slick. The actress who plays Jill, Mirrah Foulkes, is especially good. Her reactions to Jack's 'sweeet' attempts at making up and to his dreadfully misguided joke, are most believable.

Watching Spider is like reading an imaginative short story, I hope to be able to view more offbeat and good stories by Mr. Edgerton.