NO TRAILER CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
First, the Recap:
But, it’s all in the name of scientific advancement and learning more about the unknown! Justification. Ah what a consistently wonderful sentiment proclaimed when a select few choose to start meddling, interfering, or otherwise poking their all-too-curious hands into that which should more than be left alone. Still believing it is all for the betterment of the world and exposing the mysteries of the unexplainable, it never seems to lead to anything but experiments gone wrong and potentially sinister elements being unleashed. Hey, what could possibly go astray? For a lead corporate investigator (Michael Helgens), this becomes all too real while looking into the disappearance of a young couple (Alex Galick & Meaghan McCarthy) while questioning a shadowy organization’s department head (Clara Davies) about a certain project that has (and whose “assets” HAVE) gone just a bit askew.
Next, my Mind:
As I so often mention when it comes to the horror film arena, the style and execution of them is something I am more highly picky about, as despite best efforts on some, so much it honestly devolves into just too much cliché for my personal liking or even just straightforward entertainment. Yet, as I have at least been willing more than in the past to venture into the genre a bit, first via mainstream films and then more into the indie cinema ranks, I cannot deny I’ve found the certain vein that appeals to me most, and this newest short film effort from writer/director/producer Mikeal Burgin plus producers Bradley Cerny, Marcos Garza, Beth Hinde, Neal Kapp, Donald Mitchell, and Nathaniel K Wilson arrives and finds its home successfully in that category for me.
Now, it does need to be understood that in the film’s abbreviated 9-minute runtime, there is a self-contained narrative, with a definable start, middle, and end. Yet, when I was finished viewing, the first thing that came to my mind was that it feels more readily like a proof of concept, with a clear and defined tone and delivery that left me certainly wanting more from it. Taking the entire notion of offering a story that focuses on a decidedly eerie venture into the realm of the senses via a unique twist and unsettling overall vibe, the tale of one corporate investigators attempts to learn about the creepy experiments being carried out by a shady company and the growing ramifications of results that have gone severely astray, the foundational presentation in showcasing all this shines through beautifully, but again, still feels a tad incomplete.
In saying this, one would now hope that perhaps we are indeed seeing the bedrock for a feature film exploration expanding on the thematic basis at hand, and I truly do pine for that, as the manner in which this short provides us as a viewer with a glimpse into its distinctively noteworthy cornerstone idea really warrants, again, MORE. Additionally, this also felt like it goes beyond the prototypical horror fare in that, like so many an indie project, there are underlying messages about the downsides of human curiosity, tampering with forces beyond our better understanding or control, not taking necessary precautions to prevent mistakes made from turning disastrous, and even the grander objectives about just simply leaving well enough alone rather than feeling there’s actual purpose in meddling where man was really not meant to go.
One could argue we’re seeing these exact designs playing out with the COVID-19 pandemic and its originating source seemingly centered on science messing around with something that got out of hand. But, I digress. Here, the also fresh take on the supernatural elements involved lend themselves to further scrutiny, much less the overtly frightening aspects they could take on beyond what is seen here. Visually, the film maintains that necessary air of both building ominousness and outright uncanny, with said otherworldly entities being in the exact kind of appearance and demeanor I prefer when it comes to things that go bump in the night. As I continue to say, though, there’s just so much MORE to be done with them to UP the greater story’s potential, so here’s keeping those hopes alive for longer, in depth, even scarier adaptation.
Helgens does a fine job in his role as the investigator, really someone who despite being adept at his chosen profession just seems more ripe to become fodder for the unknown that one who might stand firmly against it. It’s that mix of almost overconfident bravado and tries at being the voice of authority to mete out due justice while also realizing within that he might end up in over his head, and Helgens brings that about well enough here. Davies brings that “no one can touch me”/”you have NO idea what you’re messing with”/”we were totally innocent in what we were trying to accomplish in the name of advancement” aura to her role as the head of the department responsible to some now…lingering…ok…rampant…errors that they’ve made, all while potentially hiding more than she’s letting on. It’s one of those “juicy” roles that an actor can just emote through to bring the air of arrogance and disquieting calm, and Davies nails that wonderfully here.
Supporting roles are present from Galick and McCarthy as a young couple who were, granted unknowingly it appears, destined to become the first examples of “wrong place, wrong time” in the story’s unfolding and play it solidly here. Then there is Rachel Wells, Amy Radloff, Courtney Conlin, Kathy ‘Kat’ Walsh, and Becca Meumann-Johnson as the haunting apparitions causing the mayhem involved, carrying with them an air that is both strangely emotional, definitively ominous, and yet devilishly mischievous as well, BEGGING to be made monumentally more haunting than they already are, with all five actresses bringing each of the creature’s characteristics to just-hinted-at life with full abandon and intent. There’s just something about the ladies playing this type of spectral force that WORKS so deftly.
So, in total, “The Eidolon Inquest” wasn’t remotely a disappointment or non-entertaining short film as much as it just requires some more immersive, deep-seated fleshing out to be able to recognize what I feel could be some truly big potential if addressed as it should be. Given Burgin’s other projects I’ve seen that dish out original variations on the horror/thriller genre (ie: “Special“, “Low Self Esteem“, and “Happily Ever After: Low Self Esteem 2“), I fully believe any further expeditions into the realms of the Eidolons will be absolutely done right.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
