‘Faces’ Review – A Short, But Horrific Exploration Of A Shapeshifter’s Quest For Identity [Fantasia Fest 2024]

In Blake Simon’s horror short film Faces, a unique narrative unfolds as a deadly, shapeshifting creature embarks on a gory journey of self-realization and identity.

Judy (Cailyn Rice), an unassuming college student, undergoes a transformative experience when she is invited by Brad (Ethan Daniel Corbett) to a fraternity party. Little does she know that a monster has stolen the form of a missing college student, Bridget (Emily Gateley), and has set its sights on her.

It’s truly astounding what Faces manages to do in its fifteen-minute runtime. It successfully creates a moody, foreboding, and melancholic atmosphere that draws you in and doesn’t let go until the credits roll. Rice, who portrays the creature in Judy’s form for most of the runtime, does an excellent job of going from sweet, wholesome, and sarcastic to a stoic and seductive predator. What she does with her body movements, tone of voice, and facial expressions believably conveys a creature playing at being human.  It’s fun to watch, even while creeping viewers out.

Corbett gets to flex his acting chops here as well. He goes from an obnoxious frat bro to a terrified target and, ultimately, the following form the creature acquires. Corbett’s portrayal of the beast is surprisingly emotional. No matter what form it takes, the creature will never be satisfied. Its hunger for identity will never be filled; thus, a trail of innocents will be left in its wake. Viewers shouldn’t feel bad for this monster, but they will.

One of the truly astounding things the film manages to add during its runtime is bits of background on the creature. For example, after every attack, it returns to a small, dark apartment and observes itself in a pink vanity mirror. On that vanity sits a neat stack of driver’s licenses stolen from its victims. Their cellular devices are so stuffed into one of the vanity’s drawers that it barely closes. Vast piles of clothing sit stacked in the corner. The creature has been at this a while, and again, its hunger and longing can never be filled. It’s both terrifying and fascinating.

Blake Simon has a knack for tapping into the fears of the unknown and unseen to create a terrifying experience for viewers. The use of sound as the creature is transforming: the breaking and rearranging of bones, the unnatural contorting of the body, and flickering lights make for a chilling viewing experience.

Faces is a horror short that chills, thrills, and manages to layer in a surprisingly emotional message about a murderous desire for identity.

Faces screened in competition at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival as part of the Small Gauge Trauma short film block.