Some people have a funny thing about bugs, whether it be spiders or other creepy crawlies.
Horror can sometimes thrust these fears among people and create chaos, but in other ways it can marginalise the human characters by having them embrace the insect world.
Mantra sees the wife of an entomologist starts becoming obsessed with a praying mantis whilst her husband is away. Is this just any bug or something more?
Stef Meyer and Pascal Bourelier’s short has a dreamy quality too, with a hazy filming style where reality heightened as bug and person become closer.
From this dreamy hue there are elements of body horror, and when it gore kicks in it doesn’t hold back.
Mantra is an intense watch.
Mantra screens as part of Grimmfest 2023.
Bloody Flicks 