The Monsters Down the Hall Are Closer than they Seem: A Movie Review

Director/writer: S. Vollie Osborn.

Not many films tackle child abuse. Fewer films manage to tackle the subject and still make the film come across as entertaining. Monsters Down the Hall was shown at Slamdance last week and now this horror short gets a review here. Although Monsters Down the Hall is devoid of a music soundtrack the intense subject matter, delivery, and message deliver of the film create an intense movie watching experience.

Michael (Zekari Jackson) is the son of a single mother (Helene Taylor) who goes about his normal routine each day. However, Michael's routine involves lonely waits at the bus stop, searching for companionship in a rundown apartment, and taking care of his heroin addicted mother. This picture does not seem abnormal to Michael, as he has known nothing else, but viewers will be horrified if they stop for one moment to realize that this situation happens in hundreds of thousands of households each day.

A film about poverty, neglect, abandonment, and maltreatment, Monsters Down the Hall will shock most audience members, without a doubt. The cinematography and display of the subject of child abuse is given an excellent delivery by Carole McClintock. The dark hallways of Michael's mind and of the apartment building he lives in are given a dark atmosphere that is often unsettling. Not only are the message and atmosphere given quality treatment, but the acting, as well, is performed with distinction and with professional understatement, on the part of Zekari Jackson and Helene Taylor.

Monsters Down the Hall is very short and some viewers might be wanting a little more depth; yet films of this subject matter are often tough to digest over long periods, so director Osborn's decision to keep the film as a short was sound.

Currently, the film is on the film festival circuit, with the goal to appear at Sundance. Not available in a wide release capacity as of yet, horror enthusiasts will have to be patient, as Monsters Down the Hall engages in limited events only. Have a look at the film's website for additional information.

Plot/writing/story: 8.
Social message/philosophical significance: 9.
Setting/realism/authenticity: 8.5.
Closure/unity/logical development: 7.

Overall: 8.1 jaw dropping expressions out of 10.

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