There's a sort of gothic tension bubbling amidst the antiquated walls of writer/director Mark G. Lakatos's indie horror short Reunion. We meet Sean (Patrick Thomas Kovacs), a narcissistic chap who quickly announces to his wife Lydia (Erika Herbert) his intentions to go visit his sickly father, Robert (Brett Bickley). As there doesn't seem to be a bone of sentimentality within Sean, we're all aware that there's an agenda behind this visit and there's a palpable anxiety in the film's earliest scenes as Sean wrestles linguistically with his wife. It would seem that Lydia doesn't suffer fools well, though she certainly suffers Sean. 

The truth is that we're led to believe that Robert isn't long for this world and Sean, who's found a bit of success but not nearly enough, wants to ensure an inheritance from his for the most part estranged father. 

There is another brother, perhaps a more favored one, though it's clear this family has its wounds. Sean arrives as his father's grim dwelling, mistaken identity ensues and the father's blindness may or may not keep him from being apprised of the situation unfolding. 

It would be a pity to describe much more about this Hungarian shot dazzler. Beautifully shot by Armin Rethly with a surprisingly effective visual effects team, Reunion is an impressive 21-minute short film that brings to mind classic horror with gothic elements and even a dazzling sprinkle of animation paying homage to the late Marcell Jankovics, Hungary's most prolific and influential animation artist. 

The subsequent film doesn't so much surprise us as it simply immerses us in this world. If you've ever seen the scarier versions of classic folktales, that's what comes to mind with this impressive short film. There's simple yet effective storytelling going on here along with characters who draw you in and demand your attention. The film is atmospheric for sure, however, this ensemble is uniformly impressive in wringing every moment of drama and dread from this story. There's absolutely tremendous work from everyone here.

There's much more I'd love to say, but I shan't. This is a film best experienced without a clue so you can surrender to it and bask in the Lakatos vision. If you get a chance, this is definitely a film to check out.  

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic