Horror Short Review: The Owl (2026)

Written, edited & directed by Tyson Edwards, The Owl is an atmospheric horror short that is based on a witch of Texas legend.

Henry (Chaz Lack) and Melissa (Maria Plascencia) are under pressure being new parents, and the former’s answer to coping is to drink, and drink heavily. Which results in a confrontation leading to him storming off.

He is far too drunk to drive, but he’s not thinking straight. Thankfully, before he can hurt himself or another, the disturbing sound of a crying baby nearby gets his attention. Following the sound, he comes across a woman hunched over in a corner, with her back to him.

This is La Lechuza (Yanin Loza) and Henry is about to wish he never had a drink and that he had just stayed at home.

A strong short with tension running through it like a thick vein, something the actors do a great job of reacting to. This feels like a horror scenario, visually disturbing, almost nightmare like, with a couple of effective jump scares too. It’s well worth a watch.