Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Can a girls night out be complete without swapping scary stories or trying out some spooky game? Not if you are a horror fan!
Directed and written by Vanessa Ionta Wright, the short film “Sweaty Larry” is a fun and crisp horror-comedy that follows three young friends attempting to summon an entity from a little-known legend that may or may not have originated in ancient Arabia.
About six minutes long, “Sweaty Larry” opens with a deceptively tense and engaging scene of a bunch of kids meddling with a Ouija board. The scene switches to Amy (Sienna Cheryl Burton) and her friends Violet (Camryn Bentley) and Darla (Quinn Reames) huddling together to try a different supernatural game altogether. It’s a bit like the conjuring of Bloody Mary—where you have to flush the toilet nine times and call for ‘Sweaty Larry.’
The actors share an easy camaraderie, and Haley Leary, portraying Amy’s older sister Hannah, emerges as arguably the most relatable character—the elder sibling dealing with noisy, nosy, ‘up-to-no-good’ kids at home while attempting to enjoy some quiet ‘study time’ with her girlfriend.
The cinematography creates an engaging mash of different moods. While the film begins with a dark, gothic mood, setting a séance-like atmosphere, the scenario soon changes to a cozy living room setup where Amy and her friends are trying to have a fun night out, and the last leg of the story looks like Matrix meets Goosebumps. I love how Vanessa Ionta Wright and team waste no time in dramatic pauses or shady shots and keep the story moving.
The short film “Sweaty Larry” exudes a clever self-awareness, embracing the conventions of horror comedy while injecting quick humor through the casual banter of its young protagonists. In its brief runtime, predicting the direction of the climax proves challenging, yet it unfolds swiftly, almost abruptly, leaving you with a hearty chuckle.
Watch the teaser for “Sweaty Larry” on Vimeo.
Read Next: Talk to Me Review – Possession is the new kick
Also Read: A Man Called Ove – Orderline Oring (Audio Version Below)
