The Shortcut (2009)
Written By: RIY
Edited By: Grave Reviews Staff
Film Information
Director: Nicholaus Goossen
Producer: Scott Sandler, Scott Einbinder, et. al.
Screenwriter: Scott Sandler and Dan Hannon
Date Released: September 29, 2009
Cast:
Drew Seeley as Derek
Shannon Woodward as Lisa
Dave Franco as Mark
Katrina Bowden as Christy
Raymond J. Barry as Ivor Hartley
William B. Davis as Benjamin Hartley
Josh Emerson as Taylor
Rating = 3/5 Graves
***May contain some spoilers***
Synopsis
Derek and his family recently moved to a new town. He has a younger brother named Tobey who was dared by his classmates to go through the shortcut. Not afraid of anything, Tobey did the dare alone. On his way, he saw a dead dog and an old man who threatened him to go away.
Tobey did what he was told and when he got home, he was welcomed by Derek. Seeing that his brother is bloodied, Derek asked his brother to explain what happened. Derek then decided to investigate this mysterious shortcut. However, his friend, Mark told him the rumor about an old man who lives near the said shortcut and he killed people there.
Derek’s curiosity grew after Taylor, one of Derek’s schoolmates, mentioned that his dog is missing. Derek and his gang then started investigating the shortcut and the old man.
Gore Factor
The Shortcut (2009) contains all the variables to be considered a horror movie. It contains a mysterious killer, a lot of jump scares, loads of blood, and terrifying background music. Let us not forget about the main characters who, despite being told by the adults not to pry into the old man’s business, decided to be baits and entertainment for the killer.
The Shortcut (2009) has visual scenes that depicts the killer’s violent tendencies. For example, a dead dog was slit open and there was blood all over its body. When Mark and Taylor, Derek’s friends, were investigating the old man’s house and killed, that scene had no shortage of blood from the death scenes. Even when Mark’s hand was hit by a hammer, you can see his bent finger clearly.
There are also a lot of times when you will jump off your couch. There was a scene when Lisa, one of Derek’s friends, and Mark are roaming around the old man’s house. They saw a back of a woman and when they held her arm, her head fell off. It turns out that it was a mannequin. The scene will catch you off guard because aside from the mannequin’s head falling, there was suspense music in the background.
The Grave Review
The Shortcut (2009) has an interesting and unpredictable story line. At first, the movie will appear as if the old man is the killer. The first twist is that it is not the old man who kills the people, but his brother who is locked in their basement. The second twist is something you will know once you watch the movie.
The film has a good combination of suspense and horror. By using appropriate background music, the movie was able to build up the suspense and fear. The way the old man’s character is portrayed very well. Its character was done well to exhibit enough level of fear to scare audience. Also, the movie used flashbacks to show how the killer was when he was young, from his first kill until the day his father decided to lock him.
There are a lot of jump scares that blend well with the scary setting. The setting was usually night time so it was easy for the movie to add jump scares since the audience can’t really see clearly what is happening and they will be surprised when something sudden appears on the scream.
When the killer was able to go out to the woods, you will find yourself covering your eyes in fear as you know that he will kill Derek and his friends. There was even a scene when the killer walks around the woods with the chains following him.
Overall, the film is worth watching. It easily creates an atmosphere that will make you feel scared, nervous, and at the same time, surprised.
For the foregoing reasons, Grave Reviews gives The Shortcut (2009) three graves out of five graves.
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