Without warning, blind student Wendy is chased from the university library by a mindless mob suddenly and inexplicably intent on assaulting her. On the way she encounters campus charmer Jack – seemingly the only other person unaffected – and the two seek refuge in Wendy’s nearby flat to try and figure out what to do next. However, things are not what they seem.
Like most short films, the less you know about what happens in Nutcracker before watching it the better. At first glance it appears to be another variation on a zombie apocalypse, but soon reveals itself to be far smarter and much more sinister than standard tales of survival against marauding undead hoards. The plot jumps back and forth in time, as the truth behind exactly what’s going on is made clear and people’s motivations are revealed, and the story has more than one twist woven into its brief length, including a deliciously warped riff on what the title refers to.
Along the way it offers several observations on human interaction, including people’s behaviour towards the vulnerable and the kind of things some believe they are justified in doing to others, along with commentary on the different ways in which men perceive women and a sly take on traditional gender roles (and those of horror movies in particular). Although Wendy might be blind she isn’t helpless, and several developments make you re-evaluate your assumption regarding exactly who the hero of the story is supposed to be.
A dark yet humorous tale of suspense, manipulation and romance, Nutcracker is many things at once, but they all blend together perfectly into a cohesive whole, resulting in a tale straightforward yet intricate that makes a brutal and memorable impact.
Check Out The Trailer Here.
NUTCRACKER / CERT: TBA / DIRECTOR & SCREENPLAY: BEN THOMPSON / STARRING: NATASHA STIVEN, BOSTON ALEXANDER, JAKE MCGARRY / RELEASE DATE: TBA
