Director – Justin Burquist (Broken Knuckles, Proxy)
Starring – Eva Ceja (American Bigfoot, Titanic 666), Randy Davison (The Manos Chronicles, Ronald’s Little Factory), and Steve Froehlich (Into the Daylight, Beverly Hills Bandits)
Release Date – 2022
Rating – 4/5
I will never turn down the opportunity to review a horror short. Some of my favorite films that I’ve been lucky enough to review over the years have been shorts and I’m always open to checking out the next one sent my way. A few weeks back I was sent over the horror short Touch from Dan Butler. This was a new one to me and when I saw that it was a crime thriller/horror short I was very interested. I want to thank Dan for sending this one over.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a young woman who is brought on to investigate her first homicide case. However, she is no normal detective as she has a supernatural ability she can use to uncover the killer. **Spoiler Alert**
I’ve always had a soft spot for shorts but sometimes their short run time works against them. Case in point, Touch is a fantastic short, but I have so many questions about the character and her situation. I need more and a seven minute short just doesn’t cut it with this fantastic idea.
The acting in this one is very well done. The film’s star is great in her role, but we don’t have enough screen time to really appreciate what she can truly bring to the table. The supporting cast is solid as well but, once again, the short is over before you really get to see what they can do.
The story for this one really made my imagination run wild. I grew up on Brimstone, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and The X-Files so having a story following a detective with supernatural abilities solve murders is right up my alley. It doesn’t feel forced or awkward like The Dead Zone television adaptation and I could really get behind the characters that are introduced here as they traverse other murder cases. Honestly, this short is written very well and I would love to see this further explored or redone into a feature film.
Finally, the film has some blood and a few gags but nothing genre fans haven’t seen before. While the fight scene was done in a unique manner it doesn’t deliver on the gruesome deaths that most genre fans are looking for. Overall, Touch is a unique crime thriller/horror tale that has so much more potential. It deserves to be more than a short. If you ever have the chance to check this one out I highly recommend you do so. You will not be disappointed.
