ShortFilmsMatter.com
ShortFilmsMatter.com
SUBMIT
submit

Poison

Synopsis

Darnell, a timid young man, questions his tumultuous relationship with his abusive girlfriend of three years after coming home one night from a group of friends. He must fight his way to freedom and escape his vociferous lover before his whole world crumbles.

Review

4/5
A gripping thriller about an abusive relationship.
Written and directed by Corey Davis, ‘Poison’ is a short drama film that delves into a treacherous abusive relationship. Corey Davis leads the cast as Darnell, an unnerved young man who is under the toxic spell of his authoritarian girlfriend, Donna (Aleasha Burgess). The film explores themes of narcissism, mental health and abuse. A gripping thriller from start to finish.

The 10-minute film opens with a group of male friends hanging out. Darnell sits in agitation, looking at the clock on his phone, where a timed alarm prompts his return home. The film examines his hostile home-life with Donna, where issues of trust, possessiveness and physical violence run riot. The drama shines a rare light on mental and physical abuse towards a male partner. A harrowing watch that some viewers might find unsettling.

Poison Short Film e1656080724424
Corey Davis has created a remarkable short that doesn’t shy away from examining the ugly face of domestic abuse. His performance as Darnell is highly commendable – delivering an authentic portrayal throughout. Aleasha Burgess’s role as the antagonist is equally praiseworthy. Viewers will be startled by the chilling narrative. Despite being a low-budget production, the film is well-constructed both narratively and visually. Cinematography is of a reasonable standard, with high quality sound and post-production. A riveting short from the get go. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Corey Davis
Writer(s): Corey Davis
Cast: Adam Bryant, Aleasha Burgess, Corey Davis, Dallas Norfleet, Tyrone Walker
Producer(s): Corey Davis
Director of Photography: Tyra Holmes
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 11 min

Recommended

5/5

A Calling Void

Emmanuelle is a young woman who suffers from anorexia, a mental illness that makes her purposefully disappear into oblivion. As her body and mind…
  • Drama
  • France
  • 2021
  • 17 min
5/5

It Lives Somewhere

This short film intends to show the horrors of mental health and the devastating affect it can have on an individual….
  • Drama, Thriller
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 11 min
4/5

My Light

A New York City couple is reconnected only to discover that things are not all that they seem….
  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 9 min
4/5

Kashish

‘Kashish’ is a well-meaning conversation on domestic abuse and how it can extend beyond simply a physical manifestation, or fixed expectations that one might…
  • Drama, Thriller
  • India
  • 2022
  • 13 min
5/5

Backwards

Oliver can only walk backwards. While he struggles with functioning ‘normally’ in the world, Oliver has figured out how to enjoy life even with…
  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 10 min
4/5

My Toy

Sarah and Salem are arguing about the toy, but at the end, there is another purpose behind while meeting their parents….
  • Drama
  • Denmark
  • 2023
  • 8 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Corey Davis
Writer(s): Corey Davis
Cast: Adam Bryant, Aleasha Burgess, Corey Davis, Dallas Norfleet, Tyrone Walker
Producer(s): Corey Davis
Director of Photography: Tyra Holmes
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 11 min

Recommended

4/5

Heathens

  • Horror, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2021
After a woman discovers her husband’s secret affairs, she teams up with his mistress and bonds over their shared thirst for revenge….
3/5

This Body of Mine

  • Experimental, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2021
Believing he no longer has control over his body, Clay King plans to record his every step to prove his innocence after a major incident at work. Is his body no longer his own? Is he lying? Is he innocent?…

Poison

Synopsis

Darnell, a timid young man, questions his tumultuous relationship with his abusive girlfriend of three years after coming home one night from a group of friends. He must fight his way to freedom and escape his vociferous lover before his whole world crumbles.

Review

A gripping thriller about an abusive relationship.

4/5
Written and directed by Corey Davis, ‘Poison’ is a short drama film that delves into a treacherous abusive relationship. Corey Davis leads the cast as Darnell, an unnerved young man who is under the toxic spell of his authoritarian girlfriend, Donna (Aleasha Burgess). The film explores themes of narcissism, mental health and abuse. A gripping thriller from start to finish.

The 10-minute film opens with a group of male friends hanging out. Darnell sits in agitation, looking at the clock on his phone, where a timed alarm prompts his return home. The film examines his hostile home-life with Donna, where issues of trust, possessiveness and physical violence run riot. The drama shines a rare light on mental and physical abuse towards a male partner. A harrowing watch that some viewers might find unsettling.

Poison Short Film e1656080724424
Corey Davis has created a remarkable short that doesn’t shy away from examining the ugly face of domestic abuse. His performance as Darnell is highly commendable – delivering an authentic portrayal throughout. Aleasha Burgess’s role as the antagonist is equally praiseworthy. Viewers will be startled by the chilling narrative. Despite being a low-budget production, the film is well-constructed both narratively and visually. Cinematography is of a reasonable standard, with high quality sound and post-production. A riveting short from the get go. Highly recommended.

Recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Short Films Matter is an online short film platform that reviews independent short films from across the globe.

We are proud to feature the work of up-and-coming talent as well as established filmmakers.

Unlike other curated short film platforms, we never reject short films. All films submitted are guaranteed to be showcased on our website.

 

You can submit your short film for review using our submission form. Our submission fee is $50. 

Any submissions received via email or social media will be not be accepted.

No. Short Films Matter is a short film platform that reviews and promotes short films via our website and social media. We do not hold live screening events or competitions.

All short films on our platform are publicly available. Filmmakers can request we showcase a trailer instead.

If you would like to make any changes to your review page/or request deletion, you can do so via email.

1. All short films must be publicly hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. If your short film is currently in a festival season. you can submit a trailer. This can be and changed later once your festival season has concluded.

2. Short Films must be 40 minutes or less.

3. You can submit a film that was produced/released in any year, country or language.

4. We accept all types of short films, including: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Horror, LGBTQ+, Music, Mystery, Sci-Fi and Thriller.

5. We do not refund submissions.

6. Subtitles are required if the film is not in the English language.

© 2023 Short Films Matter

Instagram Envelope