Directed by Peter Dorn-Ravlin and written in collaboration with Cynthia Wall and Gavin Copeck, ‘Til Your Last Breath’ is a black and white thriller that intertwines the classic Giallo style with a creeping sense of psychological dread. It is a confident short film that bravely leans into the style without sacrificing narrative clarity.
The story follows Bijou, played by Sherill Quinn, as she visits her sister’s home for the reading of their father’s will. The narrative opens when Bijou receives a strange and unsettling phone call. Fear takes root, and soon Bijou begins to suspect that what is happening around her is not just coincidence. Her sister Alice (Caitlin Morse) and brother-in-law Jason (Bret Tencheria) try to dismiss her growing paranoia, but the unease continues to build. A masked figure appears. The tension fractures into something truly unnerving.
The film’s biggest strength is its atmosphere. Dorn-Ravlin’s direction is on point, drawing clear inspiration from Giallo cinema while grounding the story in a modern emotional reality. Kellin Lim’s cinematography is of a high quality standard with praiseworthy framing and lighting. Sound design and editing is equally impressive. The performances from the entire cast are commendable, notably Quinn’s, who grounds the film with a controlled intensity that steadily unravels as fear takes hold.
Though labelled a thriller, the film veers confidently into horror. It explores betrayal and mistrust with a sharp edge and finishes with a twist that recontextualizes the entire experience. Viewers should expect flashes of gory knife violence and bloodshed that push the film firmly into horror territory, heightening its sense of danger and dread. ‘Til Your Last Breath’ is not only well crafted, and rare in style, but it’s certainly a memorable one. A worthy watch.
