ShortFilmsMatter.com
ShortFilmsMatter.com
SUBMIT
submit

Withdrawal

Synopsis

After suffering a near fatal overdose, Kyle Richardson’s secret is revealed to those closest to him: he’s a drug addict. With this secret now revealed, Kyle decides it’s time to quit and must find a way to overcome his addiction before it takes him over.

Review

4/5
A gripping drama that explores drug addiction.
Written and directed by Jacob Harding, ‘Withdrawal’ is a short drama film that delves into one man’s struggle with drug addiction. Judah Fox leads the cast as Kyle, an aspiring actor whose career prospects and relationship is tested after a near-fatal overdose. Megan Grant co-stars as his suffering girlfriend, Lauren. Sam Harding completes the cast as his toxic flat-mate. ‘Withdrawal’ gives viewers an unflinching account of the trials of addiction. A captivating watch from start-to-finish.

The 24-minute film opens with Kyle and his girlfriend rehearsing a film script. Upon securing an audition for a role, his euphoria leads him to taking cocaine and heroin, under the influence of his roommate. The next morning, the day of the audition, Lauren discovers he has overdosed on the floor of his apartment. The narrative follows their conflict, his unhealthy friendship with his flat-mate, and his attempt to get clean.

Withdrawal Short Film e1657858157640
Jacob Harding has delivered a gripping short that doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexity of addiction. The film explores our protagonists inner-demons, his abusive friendship, and his supportive girlfriend. Judah Fox’s portrayal as Kyle rewards audiences with an authentic reality of the secret life of an addict. The entire cast delivers exceptional performances throughout. Cinematography, lighting, sound and post-production are of a cinematic quality and highly commendable. A well-constructed short with an important message. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Jacob Harding
Writer(s): Jacob Harding
Cast: Judah Fox, Megan Grant, Sam Harding
Producer(s): Dana Harding, Jacob Harding, Michael Harding
Director of Photography: Nathan Andrukonis
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre:
Subjects: , , , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2021
Runtime: 25 min

Recommended

3/5

Return to Sender

A story about an old man looking back at his life, having a hard time remembering the past, his dementia is becoming increasingly worse….
  • Animation, Drama
  • Sweden
  • 2022
  • 8 min
4/5

Birdy

With the arrival of spring, Birdy is out in her garden doing what she loves most: bird-watching. Year after year she looks out for…
  • Comedy, Drama
  • United Kingdom
  • 2021
  • 9 min
3/5

Spackle

The relationship between Marianne and her son, Dustin, has eroded over the years. Their small, fractured family unit is slowly rebuilt once Dustin receives…
  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 14 min
5/5

You Made Me

A torn father son relationship goes terribly wrong, when in order to prove his courage, the son decides to play a hero and murders…
  • Drama, Thriller
  • Germany
  • 2022
  • 17 min
4/5

Listen

Adam struggles with how Tom is handling the breakup of their relationship….
  • Drama, LGBTQ+
  • Australia
  • 2019
  • 5 min
5/5

Nerd

Nerd is a dramatic monologue examining the nature of power in a contemporary context.

In the arts and entertainment industry, money and power is…

  • Drama
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 41 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Jacob Harding
Writer(s): Jacob Harding
Cast: Judah Fox, Megan Grant, Sam Harding
Producer(s): Dana Harding, Jacob Harding, Michael Harding
Director of Photography: Nathan Andrukonis
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre:
Subjects: , , , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2021
Runtime: 25 min

Recommended

5/5

Where the Noise Ends

  • Drama, Experimental
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
Two strangers are bound by their mental illnesses….
5/5

Who’s Counting?

  • Drama
  • United Kingdom
  • 2021
The story of a couple as they endure the pain and trauma of successive miscarriages….

Withdrawal

Synopsis

After suffering a near fatal overdose, Kyle Richardson’s secret is revealed to those closest to him: he’s a drug addict. With this secret now revealed, Kyle decides it’s time to quit and must find a way to overcome his addiction before it takes him over.

Review

A gripping drama that explores drug addiction.

4/5
Written and directed by Jacob Harding, ‘Withdrawal’ is a short drama film that delves into one man’s struggle with drug addiction. Judah Fox leads the cast as Kyle, an aspiring actor whose career prospects and relationship is tested after a near-fatal overdose. Megan Grant co-stars as his suffering girlfriend, Lauren. Sam Harding completes the cast as his toxic flat-mate. ‘Withdrawal’ gives viewers an unflinching account of the trials of addiction. A captivating watch from start-to-finish.

The 24-minute film opens with Kyle and his girlfriend rehearsing a film script. Upon securing an audition for a role, his euphoria leads him to taking cocaine and heroin, under the influence of his roommate. The next morning, the day of the audition, Lauren discovers he has overdosed on the floor of his apartment. The narrative follows their conflict, his unhealthy friendship with his flat-mate, and his attempt to get clean.

Withdrawal Short Film e1657858157640
Jacob Harding has delivered a gripping short that doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexity of addiction. The film explores our protagonists inner-demons, his abusive friendship, and his supportive girlfriend. Judah Fox’s portrayal as Kyle rewards audiences with an authentic reality of the secret life of an addict. The entire cast delivers exceptional performances throughout. Cinematography, lighting, sound and post-production are of a cinematic quality and highly commendable. A well-constructed short with an important message. 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