"Opal" is the last horror short for this year for Appalachia Collective's Hallouija horror short spree. I have been looking forward to watching this one since I finished my review of last week's short. This film did not disappoint.
"Opal" follows a reporter as he goes to a hollow (or holler...however you want to spell it) outside of town to interview two brothers, Opal and Elwood, so he can create the obituary for their deceased sister, Ethel. After joining them for lunch, the reporter gets freaked out by the brothers and the conversation and leaves. Before he makes it back to town, he decides to go back because he has a feeling something is not right in the creepy old home and if he can uncover it, it might be a great headline for his career. So he goes back to investigate and finds more than he bargains for.
This film was all around creepy. The intro music coupled with the news and articles regarding Satan and cults and murders was absolutely chilling. It set the tone for the movie. I liked how Opal was silent and kept the same expression on his face throughout the entire film except for the part where Elwood explained that the burgers they ate were a secret family recipe. Opal got a creepy grin on his face. I loved it.
Because the film is titled "Opal," I expected Opal to be the scariest person in the film. I was more freaked out by Elwood. He had the dry laugh, the talk about religion, and then the change over to the crazy eyes going on. If I had been the reporter, I would not have gone back to the house to go snooping around. Especially not if I had heard rumors of the brothers killing people. Speaking of the reporter and the bad judgment calls he made, I was such a nervous wreck when he was back at the property snooping. I kept yelling at my laptop screen, "Turn off your flashlight, moron! You're going to get caught!" I'm pretty sure my neighbors think I'm certifiably insane by this point. I couldn't help it though. I just KNEW he was going to get caught by Opal or Elwood.
The death in this film was by far the most disturbing of all of the short films. It was gruesome and painful to watch. I imagine the victim suffered a great deal before he finally perished. It was great!
The only thing I had issue with was the part where the reporter was outside and discovered one of the brothers was up to something out there. He kept his flashlight on as he walked toward what he saw. That would have caught the attention of whoever was out there. Also, it looked as if what he was walking toward at first was another flashlight or just a light in general, but it was actually a fire. I'm not sure how it went from looking like a light bulb to being a fire, but it isn't that big of a deal. The actors all did a great job. Elwood had a great voice and accent. He played the creepy/sinister role very well. Opal did a great job of being silent, yet speaking volumes. The reporter played a great nosy reporter that was so focused on advancing his career that he made careless mistakes. I'll even say that Ethel did a good job of laying there and being dead. Speaking of Ethel, I wish I knew more about her and what life was like when she was alive. When Elwood spoke to the reporter, he said that she ensured that Opal had everything he needed including direction in his life. I would love to know more about that family and their history.
You can watch "Opal" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeVunz_SQJw
Anyway, I really enjoyed watching and reviewing these films from Appalachia Collective. I hope you guys have enjoyed reading about it. I look forward to whatever this awesome crew comes up with next.
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