Horror Short Review: The Convenience Store (2025)

No matter the location, the concept of a person working alone at night, watching CCTV as strangers come and go, is disconcerting. It can be anything. A hospital, a church, a hotel, even a convenience store, and if done right, can create frights a-plenty.

The Convenience Store is one such horror short.

Directed, written, and edited by Julian Davis, The Convenience Store is a sharp and shocking horror short that stars Amia Marisa and Dominic Collantes. The former plays Kira, a young woman who has taken a late-night job at a convenience store, hoping to earn a bit of cash as she works her way through college. It’s the night shift, so guaranteed to be quiet, but also when sinister things are more likely to happen. This is going to be a shift like no other for Kira.

With the look and feel of a budget feature film, a strong lead actor, solid scares that ramp up effectively, and an interesting twist on a traditional story, The Convenience Store is a very good horror short. A showcase of talent who understand what makes horror horrifying and how to make sure the viewer experiences that in less than ten minutes.