Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Did this mini-film give me a mini-stroke? Maybe! Based on the short story “The Ultimate Disguise” from Reddit’s r/NoSleep, the horror movie “Disguise” follows a woman’s terrifying night at home when she decides to investigate the source of strange noises.

Directed by Tyler Czajkowski, the short film stars Zoe Rose LoMenzo as the protagonist who senses a sinister presence inside the walls of her home. She attempts to wake her husband, but eventually decides to investigate the mystery herself. With a runtime of only about ten minutes, the first few seconds quickly test the patience of horror viewers as the protagonist makes the rookie mistake of venturing into the attic alone in the middle of the night. Why not get back up or just leave things be until next morning? However, the film soon delivers an excellent jump-scare that will likely jolt your heart, leaving you on edge for the remaining tense minutes, wondering what the outcome of the story will be like.

The cinematography and background music create a subtle yet creepy atmosphere, successfully evoking a sense of suspense. Despite the nocturnal setting, the lighting is carefully adjusted, providing viewers with a feeling of an otherworldly hour while also highlighting important details of the unfolding events.

“Disguise” encompasses all the elements one would expect from a horror tale, culminating in a fantastic twist and an intriguing ending that doesn’t necessarily favor evil. You can watch the film on YouTube or below. If the ending leaves you perplexed, I recommend reading the original Reddit story on which it is based.