By Mark Hockley
Sandra Hohenadel plays a woman escaping a traumatic event. She makes her way through Parisian streets trying to get home. But something is following her with ill intent.
Running just under 20 minutes, this Paris-set supernatural short is well filmed and thoughtfully composed. Director and co-writer David Cholewa demonstrates a keen visual sensibility, with many sequences radiating palpable tension and unease.
The theme of violence against women is obviously of interest to Cholewa and co-writer Rémy Gente, but Stalker mainly works as straightforward horror, relying on familiar hide-and-stalk sequences.
The special effects are generally effective, though the creature’s CGI occasionally feels a little artificial. Still, the design of the entity works and the film has several genuinely unsettling moments.
Aleksandria Migova’s score skillfully complements the imagery, particularly during the scenes set in the protagonist’s apartment.
The title is forgettable. A quick search reveals numerous shorts called Stalker, which makes it easy to get lost in the crowd. A more distinctive name would have helped the film make a stronger impression.
There is much to admire here, with Amar Ioudarene’s cinematography particularly noteworthy. It wouldn’t be surprising to see many members of this production team advance to larger, more ambitious projects.
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