Father
Documentary-style interviews with college students about a disturbing campus incident they investigated
The brief
Evan Maggit turns what sounds like a basic found footage premise into something genuinely unsettling, using the documentary interview format to build dread through what the students don't say as much as what they do. The 34-minute runtime works perfectly here - just long enough to get under your skin without overstaying its welcome, maintaining that queasy feeling of college kids trying to rationalize something that clearly shook them. Kaia Bonilla anchors the whole thing with a performance that feels completely natural, like you're watching real people process real trauma. If you liked Lake Mungo's slow-burn approach to supernatural horror or The Poughkeepsie Tapes' documentary style, this will stick with you long after those brief 34 minutes are up.
The verdict
If you crave psychological horror that builds dread through suggestion and subtext rather than jump scares, this expertly crafted short film will haunt you with its documentary realism and what remains unspoken. If you need traditional scares or prefer feature-length narratives, the deliberate pace and brief runtime might leave you wanting more conventional thrills.
Watch with
- 👥 Horror fans who appreciate slow-burn scares
- 👤 Those seeking quick supernatural thrills
- ⚠️ Viewers who dislike interview-style formats
Heads up
- Supernatural/ghost encounters (moderate)
- Grief and loss themes (moderate)
- Psychological tension building (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Evan Maggit
- Cast
- Kaia Bonilla, Claire Cimmiyotti, George Castin, Abba Pike, Genesis Mayberry, Angus Matheson
Official synopsis
During Thanksgiving week, two college friends interview a group of students who have seen the ghost of a deceased
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Backrooms (2026)
Both explore supernatural encounters through found footage style investigation.
Total runtime: 34m + 1h 45m = 2h 19m
