In the wake of a mysterious family death, a couple’s night of mourning is interrupted by a strange delivery containing an antique dollhouse and a terrifying tale about its lone occupant.
Review by Andie Kay:
This short thriller/horror film was adapted from JC Bratton’s novella, Dollhouse with the screenplay written by Nicholas Chow. After the sudden death of her sister, a strange dollhouse is delivered with a note explaining “This belongs to you now”. Ken & Livi Zheng directed this delightfully creepy short.
I never read the novella by JC Bratton but I do really appreciate how the filmmakers built up the suspense within the story. If you think dolls have a sinister creepiness about them ( Hello Chucky ) then you will enjoy the mystery surrounding this film. Cinematography was really gorgeous and we have Jeff Caroli to thank for that. Gage Robinson and Autumn Rose Loose did a wonderful job as the couple buying their dream home and encountering the dollhouse. Also Clara Carlo did amazing as the grieving sister.
Who doesn’t love a story with a dark, supernatural twist? I am obsessed with them. The Zheng’s adaptation gives you lots of intrigue, well done special effects, make-up and suspense but it only
skims the surface story wise. I can’t help but feel the story could have gone deeper and given
the audience more clues as to the why of it all.
Story by JC Bratton
Screenplay by Nicholas Chow
Directed by Ken Zheng, Livi Zheng
Cast: Dorian Burks, Clara Carlo, Gage Robinson, Autumn Rose Loose, Akanksha Kataria
Festival Reviews 