Horror Short Review: After Dark (Mørkeblind) (2024)

It’s been a while since a short has left such an impression on me that I thought about it for days afterwards. Not only that, but I have also tried to imagine myself in the situation in the hope of understanding what I would do if I was in the same position that Simen Bostad’s Kristian finds himself in.

It’s a late and cold night in Oslo, Norway, and on his way home, Kristian runs into Mia, played by Billie Barker. She is desperate for help, and in need of safety, so he agrees to walk her to the nearby train station. It’s a situation that makes Kristian feel uncomfortable, but he does the right thing and tries to help. That is until Mia’s story gets a little messier causing Kristian to doubt her, and himself. Is she actually someone who needs help?

After Dark is a very tense watch, and all because the entire situation is so relatable. If you were Kirstian, what would you do? Remember, you’re dealing with a complete stranger. Both actors and director Iain Forbes do a masterful job of showcasing this conflict, creating a sense of dread and fear, while also showing how we, humans, are both empathic and wary by nature.

I felt the chill of the cold air, the conflict within Kirstian, the panic displayed by Mia, and the guilt that lingers afterwards. Which, for a ten-minute short, is highly impressive. We’re dealing with a different kind of horror here. This is an experience that stays with you long afterwards and makes you wonder if, with some tweaking and expansion, it could become something so much bigger.