The holiday season is here, and it’s time for some Christmas cheer! But Christmas may be the most deadly time of the year for the family featured in Midnight Clear, a new horror short by filmmaker Joe Russo. David, the father of this unnamed family, appears to have gone off the deep end, as his wife, Julie, can barely contain her terror and sorrow. Unfortunately for Julie, David is just so determined to make sure that this Christmas is perfect, and he won’t accept anything less for his beloved family.
Via Entertainment Weekly, Russo put together this short during post-production of Nightmare Cinema, an upcoming horror anthology movie that includes contributions from David Slade, Joe Dante, and Mick Garris. Russo directed Midnight Clear and co-wrote the script with John Jesensky. Jessica Morris played Julie and Kurt Kubicek portrayed David, while Caige Coulter and Kue Lawrence appeared as their onscreen children, Gracie and Spencer.
The most effective aspect of Midnight Clear is the way it fools the audience into thinking David plans to harm his family after spending one last Christmas with them. He certainly seems unhinged, and the children clearly pick up on Julie’s emotionally fraught state of mind. But once the real danger is revealed, David’s decision to keep the family gun out of their reach suddenly has a different connotation. This really is their last Christmas, but at least they get to spend it together.
What did you think about Midnight Clear? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comment section below!
Images: Joe Russo
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