There is never going to be a drought in horror. People will always crave it, and want to make it. In this brave new era we have with “smart” horror, there will be more and more people out there trying to be the next Get Out, or Hereditary. The world has spoken, and they want more than the blood, more than another zombie apocalypse. They want horror movies that are trying to say something. And here, emerging from the murky depths, comes Stray Whale Productions. Where most people are dishing out more zombies, more blood baths, Writer/Director Andrew Torrez has been quietly tucked away at his desk, penning treatments and shorts that feel very, very real. And now, his hard work of bringing horror into the next phase is finally paying off as his latest two shorts, Smiley Death Face and Wake, are mopping up on the festival circuit.
The two of these films could not be more unalike, but they both hold a strong sense of viability. Torrez has achieved something unique in that these films by showing two very different sides of hearth and home being the last place you want to be when death comes knocking. In Smiley Death Face, written by Chris Lewis Carter, we meet the heroine as she relaxes on the couch, ignoring the talk show on TV as she has a texting conversation on her phone. As the emojis fly by, it becomes apparent that not only is she in danger, but she has nowhere to run. The whole film plays in real time, having originally been intended to be one continuous shot, which puts the audience right in the house with her as she searches for safety. The cinematography plays a big part in this. Smiley Death Face uses a brand-new style of camera, which at the time was experimental but has since been used to film Marvel’s Venom. This anti-gravity rig puts steadicam to shame, and keeps you with the action while also making you feel the camera moves, as if you are in a dream, unable to control the outcome of the world around you.
All of the tension rests on lead actress Jordan Ovitt’s shoulders as Rachel. As the messages roll so does she, her actions telling you everything you need to know and how serious the situation really is. She isn’t a freak like me who would take it mildly for way too long. Ovitt instantly knows the danger and goes right into survival mode, avoiding the obvious cliches and making smart choices considering her circumstances. What is the most powerful for me regarding Smiley Death Face is the message it conveys. I am pretty “electronically adept,” to put it that way. One thing I have never fully jumped on board with, though, is emojis. They’re cute. You can send everything from a unicorn to clapping hands, even customized versions of every emotion made to look like your favorite cartoon. More and more people are beginning to create whole sentences and even have full conversations using nothing but sparkly stars, high heels and eggplants. I am not one of these people. Is it a dumbing down of the younger generation? Is it evolution? Should we begin to start looking at emojis more seriously? My personal opinion is I hope not. They annoy me more than seem useful, and as you can see, I am a fan of a thing called “words.” This movie is all about how emojis are seeping in, cracking the door open, and eventually trampling you in the night. The incessant “Ding! Ding! Ding!” of the main actress’ phone is nearly enough to get me to jump over the edge, and that is the whole point. You want to scoff at this silly millennial with her childish conversation. But when the conversation turns on her, you can’t wait for what the next emoji will be.
Where Smiley Death Face keeps the heartbeat up, Wake is the one that will stop it. Set at a family wake, greiving widow Jackie (played by writer Tatiana Paris,) tries to find solace in bottle after bottle with her friend, Gwen, (Summera Howell,) as her support system. The two are left alone with Jackie’s husband’s remains as the two women try to make sense of life after tragedy. There are no lights flashing, or mysterious figures in the corner. This is real, having been inspired by Paris’ own aunt, and relatable to anyone who has lost a loved one. As Jackie rails on about the family that resents her and how mad she is at the world for her dead husband, Gwen does her best to be a shoulder to cry on. The tone could not be any different from Smiley Death Face, bringing sincerity and struggle to the scene. Where Smiley Death Face gives you a more traditional horror experience, Wake gives you something plucked right out of an indie drama, sure to get you invested in the characters and their pain.
Tatiana Paris does a fantastic job as Jackie, the demonized and alienated widow. Her job in Wake is not an easy one, as she must juggle so many emotions along with being completely hammered. Any actor will tell you that portraying drunk is a tall order, one that can make or break a whole scene. Paris casually makes it an afterthought to the character, a device being used to convey her pain. Summera Howell as the comforting Gwen makes you feel instantly at ease with her, balancing both light and dark elements in a chillingly believable way.
Stray Whale Productions has been cleaning up on the festival circuit, garnering several awards. Smiley Death Face holds two, including Best Cinematography at the Atlanta Comic Con Film Festival and Audience Choice at the Michigan Comic Con Film Festival. Combine that with three nominations for Most Shocking, and you have a strong front-runner. But that is nothing compared to Wake and its growing momentum. Not only has it been chosen as an official selection for the Fifth Annual FANtastic Horror Film Festival in San Diego and the Hollyshorts Oscar Nomination Thriller Block, it has won Most Shocking at the San Francisco, Atlanta and Michigan Comic Con Film Festivals. With a resume like that, Wake shows no signs of going to sleep anytime soon.
Please look out for Smiley Death Face and Wake to be coming to a film festival in your area soon!
