Intruder Within

This is a short film about the horrors of domestic violence and the trauma that comes with it. We observe the protagonist character, Emma, going about her business at home, where she should feel safe. It's a nice quiet start to the short film. Then the story suddenly changes; first with a scene of what could be someone lurking in the foreground. It kicks off when she glances a shadow pass by her while she's in the living room reading a book. She receives a call on her cellphone from an unknown caller. When she calls them back, that is when a major turn happens in the story arc, to help enhance the terror. It's building tension and suspense nicely. I feel for Emma (played by Bobby Mareva) as we see her scared and in a desperate state. She thinks there is an intruder tormenting her in the house, so she calls the police. Detective Kostova (played by Simona Rose) as well as a psychiatrist (played by Monica Caprio) turn up to help Emma, and we get to see the real reason behind the situation. There is a horrid flashback scene at the end that lets us know what has happened in the past, that has made Emma paranoid about an intruder being in her house. It all started with a cold cup of coffee. Her diabolical husband (played by Ashen Milev) is about to beat Emma with his buckle belt, so she does what many people do in under such terrifying circumstances. Self-defence got her off being charged with murder. Something sinister prevails to set the story straight. The cliffhanger at the end will have you thinking if perhaps what happened to her was a deliberate and premeditated situation, that she caused to happen. The lesson here is that domestic violence is not okay, and it can eventually make the victims scared, or, as in the case with this short film, sometimes it can make victims angry, and to the point there is only one way to end the abuse. This is a great little intense and moody short 6-minute horror film, that will leave you guessing as the credits roll. The acting is great, and I can see there are a few familiar names behind the making of this. Well done, and I am looking forward to more short films from Miroslav Petkov and Simona Rose in the future. I really enjoy their short horror films; they are always compelling to watch, and there is always a lesson behind them. I highly recommend this to watch, and you won't be disappointed.

Reviewed by Del Gibson.