A Short Review for a Short Horror
A remarkable 10-minute horror thriller is gaining popularity after being shared on TikTok this week. Produced in 2017 and uploaded to a YouTube page (Alter) in 2019 where it can only be watched, “Backstroke” is captivating TikTok audience with its brevity and ability to deliver an enjoyable and chilling experience. Imagine yourself in the film’s plot as follows:
You steal a car with your boyfriend and run away with it to the woods. While your mom keeps calling to know your whereabouts, you open a compartment of the car and find a pistol. You could actually learn how to use a gun, you thought, and so you get down the car and your boyfriend teaches you. Intrigued that you can now use a gun, you point it at him and start to command him to do as you say or you squeeze the trigger. Well, you are only kidding and turn to run into the bush for your boyfriend to catch. You get to a lake before him, quickly pull off your clothes, then jump so your boyfriend can catch you in there.
Few minutes into the dive, your boyfriend is yet to arrive, only some strange guy standing there when your head pops out of the water. Strange guy starts to ask you creepy questions and suddenly announces that your boyfriend is dead. You swim away, bewildered, then strange guy suddenly disappears. Frightened, you get out of the water and dress up, screaming Jake, your boyfriend’s name. You run back to the car and as you drive off — the speakers blaring some electronic music — your phone rings and it is Jake. Just when you are about to pick it, you feel a hand on your shoulder and the movie ends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_DQmfFjTlU&t=27s
As a literature graduate and from a literary critic’s perspective, “Backstroke” is a phenomenal piece of literature in the form of a movie; I do not know if there is a better captivating short movie like it out there, it makes a gem of the cinematic world for me. Robbie Barclay, the film’s writer and director, uses his film to showcase the prowess of a great dramatist and playwright. By ingeniously incorporating the essential elements of a great play into the shortest possible timeframe, the film builds tension, introduces intriguing characters, and develops a haunting atmosphere — all while maintaining the audience’s attention and leaving them wanting more.
If I were a theatre arts lecturer, “Backstroke” would undoubtedly find its place in my curriculum. It serves as an exemplary resource for teaching students the art of storytelling within a confined space and time. By carefully observing the film’s concise structure, they can learn how to maximize impact through efficient use of dialogue, effective character development, and the skillful manipulation of suspense. The movie’s ability to engross viewers and leave a lasting impression makes it an ideal choice for illustrating the power of concise storytelling in the realm of theater and film.
