Erax

It's difficult to create a good story with only 15 minutes of time, but this draws so heavily from other works in a way which feels like a cheap collage rather than an homage.

The practical effects and puppetry were very competent though. The creatures looked like they were actually in the film and moved believably, which is more than I can say for major Hollywood productions.

Erax is definitely a horror short designed for kids, right?

It has that 'Nickelodeon' or 'Disney' style cover image, and it's about a young girl reading a new storybook.

The monsters (the best thing about this whole thing) are creepy and could be scary for some children, but they don't provide too much menace and almost come across as endearing. One of them chooses to eat a big bucket of popcorn rather than attacking the two protagonists, for example.

But then as someone else has already mentioned the only music listed for the whole thing has a rather interesting name, shall we say. And someone mentioned use of the F Word but I didn't hear that so maybe it's been cut.

The writing is terrible in places (You want to get fictional? Let's get fictional!) and trite in others (some nonsense gets crowbarred in about the auntie not having time for her niece when there really isn't the time to flesh it out) and the acting isn't much better, although Genesis White does what she can with it and comes across more believable than her on screen aunt.

Definitely one to miss.

Would I like more, I think theres potential. The goblins remind me of Wednesday the show's monster, not the hand character but the beast someone transforms into near the end, the mega villain. I think it was good for a short film for what it was. I think the addition with the comb stuck in the girl's hair is a nice addition to the fashion department because it showed the hair consistency and how they were busy at the start of the film. THe book and mystery of why this happened could definetly lead to more. It raises questions and answers few, but its a short so thats good. I dont like the trope of denying things that simply happened and not accepting things, the little girl adapting was great character.

The only song listed in the credits is called Run N*****

This is listed as a Family Movie on Netflix! Do yourself a favor and skip this atrocity. I'm surprised it hasn't been banned.

This was an awesome short film! Full of suspense and potential. Opal was a great believable character and the little girl just drew me in. Please finish the film! Looking forward to it.