First dates always come with an air of trepidation, especially in the age of social media, catfishing and just the world we live in.
People can project certain images that are completely different than how they actually are. We live in an age of manipulation.
Having said this, most first dates don’t end up like Mirabel’s in Robin Careless’ short Sanguine.
Her would-be date is more intent on experimenting on her than perhaps paying for the meal bill.
Sanguine doesn’t mess about an quickly shows its teeth, and we as the viewer are put in a dilemma of who we want to prevail.
There are sequences of genuine tension, but it’s the razor-sharp script that keeps this engrossing.
The message of this story is always to check in with friends before going off with a stranger.
Sanguine screened as part of Sohome Horror Pride 2024.
Bloody Flicks 