Deadly Still — A Short, Sharp Jolt of Fear That Hits You Before You Can Blink
Deadly Still (4 minutes and 49 seconds) wastes no time. It goes straight for the nerves. Written, directed, and performed by Cameron Mosley and Charles Cornick, this short dives into the nightmare of sleep paralysis — that frozen moment between sleep and death, where you can’t move but everything around you moves just fine.
We won’t spoil it, but the story centers on an eerie little African miniature that somehow holds the key to everything happening inside this dark, paralyzed world. There’s a cat, there’s tension, and there’s that dreadful hand — always near, always waiting.
The music is sharp and perfectly timed. The editing moves clean and fast. The color palette works beautifully — dark tones mixed with just enough light to keep you watching every shadow. The ghost effects look great, subtle but strong, helping the story instead of taking it over.
What’s impressive is how Cameron and Charles handle it all — directing, acting, producing. They’ve built something that feels personal and scary at once. It’s not just a student project; it’s a promise of what’s coming next from two young filmmakers who know what fear looks like.
Deadly Still is short, smart, and creepy as hell. It glues you to the screen and leaves you wanting more.
Disclaimer:
This review reflects the personal opinions of the author, Darwin Reina. All rights, images, and materials related to Deadly Still belong entirely to its creators — directors Cameron Mosley, Charles Cornick, and their production team. Images and descriptions are used solely for editorial and review purposes.
Film Review: Deadly Still (USA, 4 minutes)
Review by Darwin Reina
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