CPIFF 2026 Short Film Review “The Sanguine” Avarice, ill-fated choices, treachery, reprisal, and newly woken evil reign in this fantasy/horror/thriller mash-up
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First, the Recap:
What IS the cost of seeking something so overtly devastating to others….retribution. Once we feel, or otherwise haven proven, that we’ve been so deeply wronged, the innate surface desire to initiate payback is there without hesitation. Taking the time to believe we’ve figured out the most effectively efficient ways in which to exact our sense of “justice”, we even rope others into it as well, regardless of the consequences THEY may end up taking for the sake of our “mission”. The question might then become….WILL this actually resolve our issues….or amplify them?
In a far off kingdom, The Elder (Daniel Jones) is a disconsolate man on such a quest. Forcing the service of a banished servant named Paul (Christian Jones), now an unwilling accomplice to the actions and machinations that have been developed, The Elder’s backstory is divulged. Very quickly, it becomes more than clear that The Elder’s intentions and means to accomplish them involves not only a deceased warlord’s sword, but something even darker that is also being resurrected and unleashed.
Next, my Mind:
The fantasy genre, in any of its forms, is a highly popular genre within the cinematic realms, fostering MANY a film and TV show alike which transport us into the fantastical, dramatic, otherworldly arena of eldritch creatures, high court politics, et al. In my personal forays through the indie film ranks over the last twelve years now, I must say that the number of films I have had the opportunity to watch and review within said genre has actually been few and far between. Hence, when it came to this 25-minute short film project from director/producer/cinematographer/editor Patrick McNerney and writer/director/producer/cinematographer/editor/composer Daniel Jones, I was honestly excited to see it was a fantasy/horror /thriller effort. And disappointed I was not, but rather distinctly impressed by what transpired before my viewing eyes.
Through what I felt was ultimately a “Game of Thrones” style approach, the narrative follows the unfolding of a straightforward but still engaging scenario where a disgraced and disenchanted Elder conspicuously reveals to his reticent “partner” that sole focus in life has become to retrieve a specific sword once wielded by a powerful warlord and usher forth a revenge plot against those whom have lead the kingdom into ruin, past, present, and hopefully-to-be-prevented future. While the righting of injustices and putting down those who are evil seems like a noble endeavor, the beauty and unsettlingly haunting nature of this tale is more found in a concept of someone attempting to utilize equally dark tactics to bring it all about, not TRULY considering the actual price that might end up being paid in seeing it through, much less when also realizing the ominous force that is brought back to life to achieve it here that may or may NOT be in his control overall.
The general atmosphere of tension and building unease is what reminded me of the, granted, more politically-driven narrative direction, mood, and tone that “GoT” offered over its run, and it serves this film well, too. Even as the wonderfully executed revelations and flashback-lead telling of the events that formed the present we are seeing come to pass, the visually adept, solidly orchestrated instances that further create the supernatural and fantastical elements of the film are likewise carried forward with excellence, very much adding weight and relevance to the story’s course. Plus, truthfully, the imagery is just plain COOL to watch and is yet another testament to indie filmmakers using what they have to work with to maximum impact, here relying on BOTH special effects AND practical effects to transform the world we witness into the magical then horrific place it is in order to suit the tale.
When it boils down to it thematically, this is a foundational study of human greed, hunger for power, selfish ambitions, betrayal, and the conclusive damage, discord, and doom it causes. Even WHEN those who might get their just rewards encounter that comeuppance (seen or via conjecture), WILL it be the END of revenge….or just the start of uncontrollable chaos to come? The manner in which the film’s finale is delivered was brilliant, and it does make one wonder if perhaps either another installment OR perhaps a feature film version of this story might be on the horizon? This critic is hoping so! Daniel Jones steps away from all the aforementioned duties listed earlier and takes on one of the lead roles here as The Elder, a man of means who’s found himself on a stormy and angrily resolute journey of retaliation when one family whom he thought he knew and trusted turned their backs on the kingdom he loves and has served faithfully.
Choosing to go a route that sees a malevolent set of forces as the catalysts for this decisions, will what comes about from it all really be to his advantage? Or will it turn into the downfall of more than just those he’s aiming to see displaced….and dead? The ramifications of his actions are both evident and extrapolated, and the way in which Jones plays the character is very apropos for the role, eliciting at first (perhaps) SOME semblance of empathy towards his character’s frame of mind and circumstances until it is blatantly clear his motives are truly skewed to dire extents. Jones oozes this attitude of quiet and pronounced menace throughout the performance that sells you on his character with concrete validity. Christian Jones arrives next through his turn as Paul, a cast aside and poor servant who gets caught up in The Elder’s schemes on a not-so-voluntary basis.
Not completely realizing precisely what The Elder is up to, Paul listens with purpose to the story of The Elder’s plight until it could become too late to escape the actuality of what has been set loose, much less having to accept newly unearthed discoveries that might spell severe trouble with this already tense association. I applaud how Jones plays Paul, a hapless pawn in an evil game that we know he really doesn’t wish to be a part of yet is given no choice in the matter. There’s a grounded and believable air that Jones infuses the role with, most assuredly evoking an urgent degree of sympathy for him, even when the outcome of events, again, could be disastrous. Josiah Brett exudes the kind of energetic intensity necessary to portray his character (and the film’s namesake) The Sanguine, a warlord of fierce reputation and proven battlefield brutality who, upon finding an extraordinary item that wiped out armies, forges a unique sword that makes him all but invincible.
Yet, as his conquests grow, the kingdom’s leadership begin to question if he’s gone TOO far, soon under scrutiny and the now wary eyes of those who wish to sew seeds of discontent. Falling prey to these worries, The Sanguine suddenly has a (horrifying) chance at diabolically renewed life…but once more as an instrument to be exploited. CAN he be controlled? Or will what has returned end up an even more unimaginable specter of destruction than he already had been in life? Brett goes all in here, illustrating the sheer ferocity and single-mindedness of an entity now bearing his own magnitude of rage and thirst to make anyone who gets in his way pay. Frankly, I feel like this is the kind of role an actor might relish, and I felt Brett displays that through the vigor of his performance, a picture of tragic and infernal conditions the character represents.
Primary supporting turns arrive from Adam Caillavet, Sharon McNerney, Dylan Silhavy, and Brandi Jones, whose roles I am purposefully not getting specific about more to not necessarily give away certain points about their characters and the imperative relationship to the story they have. But, I will certainly state that each one did a perfectly solid job in their respective parts. Additional supporting turns arrive from Nicholas Jones, Levi Brett, Vong Hem, Mercedes Elshick, Jordan Poeppel, Lauren McNerney, Kelley Inman, and Amanda Sweeten PLUS Christian Jones, Jon Sweeten, Robert Clough, Ryan Hintz, Levi Johnson, and Michael Steele, all of whom played multiple roles over the course of the film! Congratulations to this ensemble cast on putting in the work needed to make a film happen!
So, in total, “The Sanguine” stands firmly on its own two fantasy/horror/thriller feet then soars on equally powerful wings, proving to be what could also be contemplated and assessed as a proof of concept for a larger feature film or short film sequel. Time will tell with that. But, in the meantime, this is one of the better indie films of its genre I have seen, thanks to smartly employed visuals (SFX and practical) combined with a narrative worthy of a smaller scale “Game of Thrones”, adding in the eerie and unnerving aspects’ punch that makes everything meld together with evident creativity and ardent intent, the very heartbeat of indie cinema, leaving us wanting more.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
