One of the best mediums of delivering horror and dark rooted themes is through short fiction and short film. So, because of the growing number of independent short films that are being made and available on the web I am making this special review page for those films. This will help get a little more exposure for those talented authors and filmmakers who put their heart and soul into these efforts.
The first short film I want to review on this page is one in the Dark Fantasy sub-category of the horror genre. There is always debate among fans about what can be considered horror and what can't. Many horror fans would look at this short little film and say that it technically doesn't qualify as a horror film. In many aspects I would agree, but in other ways I would say this definitely qualifies for review on this website.
Dark Fantasy--by definition--is a genre which uses both elements from the classic fantasy genre (magic, warriors, quests, etc.) and the horror genre. I have mentioned before on my news page that I am an avid fan of table top role-playing games. Dungeons and Dragons along with Pathfinder are some of my favorite table top games. I also am a large fan of the Elder Scrolls series and many other dark fantasy themed video games. As an author I write horror and dark fantasy. So--for me--the mixture of horror and fantasy is a perfect harmony of genres in many ways.
The first short film I want to review on this page is one in the Dark Fantasy sub-category of the horror genre. There is always debate among fans about what can be considered horror and what can't. Many horror fans would look at this short little film and say that it technically doesn't qualify as a horror film. In many aspects I would agree, but in other ways I would say this definitely qualifies for review on this website.
Dark Fantasy--by definition--is a genre which uses both elements from the classic fantasy genre (magic, warriors, quests, etc.) and the horror genre. I have mentioned before on my news page that I am an avid fan of table top role-playing games. Dungeons and Dragons along with Pathfinder are some of my favorite table top games. I also am a large fan of the Elder Scrolls series and many other dark fantasy themed video games. As an author I write horror and dark fantasy. So--for me--the mixture of horror and fantasy is a perfect harmony of genres in many ways.
Dark Fantasy stories are often filled with vampires, zombies, demons, dimensional rifts, cuthonian monsters, and many more horror based ideas. "Honorbound" is no exception. This short film was made on little to no budget and yet still manages to impress with its visuals.
The story follows an unnamed mercenary who is hired on by a black cloaked man who says he is need of the help and companionship of an adventurer. The mercenary is heard narrating the story as the silent companionship walks along the frozen and snowy plains of this fantasy world.
They soon come to a quiet grove where the cloaked man warns of mercenary to get down. It is there that they are attacked by a demonic creature of some sorts. It has the sickened face of a black skull. It attacks them with a type of black mist that constrains and curses those struck. This creature is something that--if set within the dark corridors of the modern world--could easily be considered a demonic cultist or even a slasher. The sound of the mercenary's screams as the demon attacks is enough to send shivers down the spine. I know if I ran into this thing while I was walking alone I would book it out of there.
The story follows an unnamed mercenary who is hired on by a black cloaked man who says he is need of the help and companionship of an adventurer. The mercenary is heard narrating the story as the silent companionship walks along the frozen and snowy plains of this fantasy world.
They soon come to a quiet grove where the cloaked man warns of mercenary to get down. It is there that they are attacked by a demonic creature of some sorts. It has the sickened face of a black skull. It attacks them with a type of black mist that constrains and curses those struck. This creature is something that--if set within the dark corridors of the modern world--could easily be considered a demonic cultist or even a slasher. The sound of the mercenary's screams as the demon attacks is enough to send shivers down the spine. I know if I ran into this thing while I was walking alone I would book it out of there.
Summing it Up
This is an impressive short film. Although it isn't as frightening as many of the other horror shorts out there it manages to be impressive with its scope of visuals and special effects. There is also little that comes off as cheesy or poorly executed. It simply is a tribute to the filmmakers who made this little story on hardly any budget whatsoever. I'm sure, if given the money, these filmmakers could make an exquisite Dark Fantasy film.
Deaths: 1
Language: 0
Gore Factor: 2
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 5
Overall Rating: 4
Deaths: 1
Language: 0
Gore Factor: 2
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 5
Overall Rating: 4