The 2016 short film After Hours does what it aims to do. It is short, effective and spot on. It is about murder and it packs a punch.
Written by Adam Weber (This was his first time up as scribe.) and directed by Michael Aguiar (His second stint in the big chair.), After Hours stars the prolific Bill Oberst Jr. as a detective investigating the murder of a young girl in what appears to be a thrift store.
The story
The young lady is working after hours and once the lights go off, before she can leave the shop, it seems that she is not alone. When she goes to investigate, things take a tragic and deadly turn.
Detective Harris arrives to find that the girl he questioned earlier in another case has been brutally murdered in the store’s elevator. As he searches for clues, the killer stays busy.
After Hours proves how effective camera work, spot on lighting and some on point suspense, via sound, can take a short film and really make it shine. Cinematographer William Schweikert gives us crisp images, even in the darkened shop, that focuses on the events without distraction.
The FX in the film pack a satisfying wallop that is just this side of brilliant. Keep an eye out for it. See if you don’t agree that it is more than effective.
The lighting sets things up So does the soundtrack itself. Aguiar, edits the film flawlessly. The end result is a thriller cum horror film that delivers its punch very nicely.
The main cast
Bill Oberst Jr. has over 164 credits under his belt. and The actor brings a stamp of truth and authority to whatever role he plays. His portrayal of a detective with drive and a keen attention to detail makes the ending come across brilliantly.
Gabriel Lee, as Detective Cordova. The actor projects a sense of realism in the few seconds he has on screen.
Tracy Decresie screams the place down very convincingly.
Aguiar pulls us in nicely and moves the tale along at a solid pace. This short horror thriller manages to deliver a one-two punch that surprises as much as it pleases. The build up to pay off is expertly done, so much so that even with a repeated viewing or two, the essence is still there. Watching the film several times also allows the viewer a chance to catch all the clever nuances that Michael has “hidden” in the movie.
The director recommends watching After Hours “in a darkened room.” He also suggests wearing earphones to enhance the experience. His advice is sound (pun intended) but watching the film without the tips still entertains and has an impressive scare factor.
The Verdict
After Hours is a film that the short film category was invented for. It is succinct, punchy and clever. We give this one a full 5 stars for effectiveness and an O. Henry flavour that delights.
The film can be seen on YouTube and down below:
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