Debut: ‘Otherkin’ Is Messed Up But In The Best Way Possible
Dawson Taylor’s Otherkin is a freaky short-horror experience that deserves the feature-length treatment because we all deserve to know what happened after that final scene. The premise of a character seeking out their birth parents to find out they’re not exactly who they, or anyone for that matter, expected is not new, but Otherkin takes that trope and cranks up the weird factor making it a must-see film. Many people have eccentric hobbies, but Scarlet’s (Georgina Campbell) parents take theirs to a new level of nope when they force their daughter to join. The title references a subculture of individuals who don’t identify entirely as human and combines the furry subculture with a dark cult-like element.
The acting in this film is simply exceptional— Georgina Campbell delivered a deeply unsettling performance and captivated whole scenes with a single facial expression. Horror fans will recognize Campbell from the acclaimed 2022 film Barbarian and the upcoming Bird Box sequel, quickly cementing the BAFTA winner as a bona fide Scream Queen. Campbell’s strong talent is definitely one to watch out for in future projects. Her performance is equally matched by John F. Higgins, the father character, whose unsettling energy mixes great with the story’s dark tones.
The visuals in Otherkin are nothing short of masterful. The cinematography and lighting were exceptional, and the use of close-ups completely immerses the viewer in a captivating experience. The film is skillfully shot, with each frame and eerie imagery feeling meticulously composed and visually striking. The expertly shot scenes added to the suspense and felt crafted to build tension at a good pace. The pacing of the film is perfectly executed, with each reveal and plot twist feeling earned and well-timed. A major highlight is the use of shadows and white space that creates a palpable atmosphere of dread throughout the film— especially in the scene where the fox costume is shown sitting in the shadowy corner for the first time. The closing scene is so well done that it creates claustrophobia.
The one downside of the film is that its time restraint leaves a lot of questions, maybe one too many, unanswered. Much of that can be (and is) left up to the viewer’s imagination, but there seems to be a lot more in this movie’s universe (like the cult-like group mentioned that resides on the island) that is worth exploring that the 12-minute runtime could only scratch the surface of. With plenty of short films receiving the feature-length treatment, Smile (2022), production studios should look into Taylor’s and Campball’s availability to get it into theatres ASAP.
Otherkin is a film that hooks you immediately and stays with you after the credits have rolled. Since its release, it’s been making the rounds throughout the film festival circuit, becoming an official selection at Beyond Fest 2022, the 2022 Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, and the Atlanta Horror Film Festival. Otherkin is a must-see whether you are a die-hard horror fan or simply looking for a truly terrifying film.
